WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 8, 2022) -- In their 2022-23 season opener, four Monarchs finished in double figures as the King's College men's basketball team defeated the visiting Penn State Scranton, 81-47, on their home court in McGrane Gymnasium on Tuesday night. The Monarchs improve to 1-0 while the Nittany Lions fall to 1-1.
 
After a slow start that saw both teams ease their way into the contest, King's (1-0) jumped out to a commanding 20-3 lead with 10:51 to go in the opening half thanks to a jumper from first year JJ Walsh. Penn State Scranton (1-1) would keep the game within reach despite the Monarchs building their lead to as much as 20 thanks to a three from JJ Walsh with 2:54 to play in the half before heading into the locker room as King's led, 36-19.
 
Out of the break, the Nittany Lions climbed within seven, 38-31, with 15:00 left in the game, but King's responded with six unanswered points to rebuild their double-digit lead. The Monarchs maintained their momentum throughout the remainder of the contest, hitting their largest lead of the night at 35 points off a three pointer from first year Kade Henninger with 1:30 to play, as the hot-handed Monarchs posted the 81-47 final in their season opener.
 
JJ Walsh led King's with 13 points in his collegiate debut, connecting on 5-of-10 field goals with three three's, three boards, two assists and a block. Sophomore Chris Patton added 12 points with team highs of four assists and three steals, while Senior Tyler Faux tallied 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists. First year Brendan Lonergan totaled 10 points and six rebounds for a solid game off the bench, while fellow first year Garrett Burys collected a team-best nine boards. Additionally, junior Will Johnson added a balanced effort of eight points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal in the win.
 
Macio Robinson led Penn State Scranton with a game-high 25 points and a team-best three assists, while both Angelo Gyamfi and Chase Medina pulled down a team high of five rebounds.
 
As a team, the Monarchs shot a solid 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the floor and 39.3 percent (11-of-28) from beyond the arc while holding the Nittany Lions to 28.3 percent shooting. King's also shared the ball well, dishing out 19 assists on 27 field goals, and held the advantage on the boards over the visitors, 43-34. The Monarchs also edged out Penn State Scranton in points in the paint (28-10), points off turnovers (27-12), second-chance points (20-11), fast break points (11-6), and bench points (43-17).
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Friday evening as they host Penn State Hazleton in non-conference play beginning at 7:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.