WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 15, 2022) -- A outback as time expired by first year Eamonn Walsh sent the cross-town rivalry game to overtime before the King's College men's basketball team dropped their MAC Freedom contest, 78-68, at Wilkes University on Tuesday evening. The Monarchs fall to 7-14 overall and 3-12 in MAC Freedom play, while the Colonels improve to 8-15 for the season and 5-10 against conference opponents.

After the teams traded baskets to open the rivalry contest, Wilkes (8-15, 5-10 MAC Freedom) took an eight-point lead, 19-11, with 13:00 to play in the opening half. King's (7-14, 3-12 MAC Freedom) tied the contest at 22 with 7:28 to play off a jumper from sophomore Carmine Castiello, but the Colonels answered to build a double-digit advantage with 42 seconds left in the half. A three from first year Saquan Portee with nine ticks left posted the halftime deficit, 39-31.

The Colonels started the second half strong, leading 57-42, with 12:32 to play, but the Monarchs would not allow this game to get away from them. The teams traded baskets before a free throw from first year Chris Patton with 31 seconds to go brought King's within one, 63-62. King's fouled the Colonels to put them on the line where Cayden Merrifield hit both to see the Monarchs trail, 65-62 with 11 seconds remaining.

Castiello hit one-of-two to trail by two as just one second came off the game clock. The Monarchs fouled again and took advantage of a missed Colonel free throw by calling a timeout with three ticks left. Out of the timeout, a three from Castiello was off the mark, but Walsh was there to collect the offensive rebound and finish at the hoop to send the rivalry game to overtime.

The Monarchs struggled offensively in the extra period as Wilkes outscored the visitors 13-3 to secure the 78-68 win in overtime in MAC Freedom play on Tuesday evening.

Walsh and Castiello each totaled 18 points in the loss, as Walsh added six rebounds and two assists and Castiello totaled a team-high eight boards, four steals, and two assists. Senior Noah Tanner added 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Patton also added double figures for the Monarchs with 10 points, six caroms, and two steals. Additionally, senior Patrick Galvin totaled five boards in the loss.

Trent Fisher led the Colonels with a double-double with game-highs of 23 points and 21 rebounds, adding three assists and three steals. Cayden Merrifield dished out a game-high eight assists while adding 10 points and six boards.

King's shot 35.8 percent (24-67) from the field, and the Monarchs collected 11 steals on the 18 Colonels turnovers. The Monarchs edged out Wilkes in points off turnovers (17-15), bench points (18-11), and fast break points (11-7).

The Monarchs wrap up their 2021-22 regular season on Saturday as they travel down to Arcadia University for a 3:00 p.m. tip off with the Knights.