DALLAS, PA (November 27, 2022) -- In their Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener, the Monarchs battled in the Anderson Center on Sunday afternoon before eventually falling, 75-60, to the host Misericordia University. The Monarchs drop to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in MAC Freedom play, while the Cougars improve to 4-3 with a 1-0 conference mark.
 
The opening half was a closely contested match up in their conference debut, as the King's (3-3, 0-1 MAC Freedom) deficit was never more than eight points, 16-8, with 12:10 to go in the opening half. The Monarchs closed within two, 23-21, off a jumper from first year Brendan Lonergan before finishing the half as Misericordia (4-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom) edged out the Monarchs, 9-7, down the stretch with King's trailing, 32-28, at the break.
 
Misericordia came out of the locker room firing, building a double-digit advantage, 44-33, with 15:59 to go in the contest. King's climbed back within five, 44-39, with six unanswered points fueled by four points from junior Will Johnson over the next 1:50 of the game clock. A hot-handed Cougars offense paired with a scoring drought from the Monarchs saw the Misericordia lead increase back to double-figures, and King's could not recover down the stretch before falling, 75-60, in their MAC Freedom opener on the road on Sunday afternoon.
 
Johnson led the offensive charge for the Monarchs, posting 16 points with four assists, three boards, and two steals, while Carmine Castiello added 10 points, a team-high five assists, and four caroms. Patrick Bennie posted a balanced effort of nine points and five rebounds, while Lonergan collected a team-best six boards off the bench.
 
The Cougars were led by a game-high 24 points with 11 boards and three steals from Kevin Lazdowsky, while Nick Prociak totaled a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds.
 
As a team, King's was even in the turnover margin, forcing 13 Cougars turnovers and collecting six steals. Inside the box score, the Monarchs bench out scored the Misericordia bench, 18-12.
 
King's is back in action on Wednesday night as they take on DeSales University on the road in the MAC Freedom bout at 6:00 p.m.