ALLENTOWN, PA (November 16, 2022) -- A hot shooting night by the hosts on the Monarchs' first road test of the 2022 season proved to be the difference as the King's College men's basketball team suffered its first loss, 76-63, at Muhlenberg College on Wednesday night. The Monarchs fall to 2-1 overall, while the Mules remain perfect at 3-0.
 
King's (2-1) jumped out to an early 16-9 lead thanks to six points from sophomore Chris Patton, but Muhlenberg (3-0) had a quick response as they took a 21-20 advantage with 8:55 to go in the opening half. The Monarchs hung tough despite an impressive shooting performance by the Mules as they trailed, 44-28, at the break.
 
Despite seeing a 54-36 deficit with 16:25 left on the game clock, the Monarchs battled back with 11 unanswered points to close within seven, 54-47, with 11:57 to go. The teams traded possessions before King's could come within five, 61-56, with 8:40 remaining on a three from junior Collin Cook, but the Mules had a response with seven straight points to rebuild their lead. The Monarchs would chip away at the Mules lead, coming within single digits one last time on a three from first year JJ Walsh with 2:41 to play, trailing 71-63, but Muhlenberg went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe and sunk a layup in the final 1:55 of play to hand the Monarchs their first loss, 76-63, on the road in Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening.
 
Patton paced the Monarchs with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, adding four assists. First year Garrett Burys continued his strong play with 12 points, a team-high nine rebounds, and a block, while both junior Carmine Castiello and JJ Walsh posted 11 points, with Castiello adding a team-best six assists.
 
Muhlenberg was led by a game-high 23 points from Jayson Williams-Johnson, while Tommy McGuire collected nine boards with 12 points, two steals, and three blocks. Additionally, Dan Gaines dished out six dimes, to go along with 11 points.
 
As a team, King's connected on 23-of-59 field goals, including five threes, and handed out 14 assists in the loss. The Monarchs were just narrowly edged in the battle on the boards, 36-35, while also totaling 18 points.
 
King's will return home to McGrane Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon as they host Elizabethtown College. Game time in the non-conference contest is set for 1:00 p.m.