HOBOKEN, NJ (February 25, 2022) -- Despite a career-high 16 points from sophomore Caileigh Costello, the third-seeded King's College women's basketball team came up short in a 59-54 loss to the second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology on Friday night in the MAC Freedom Semifinals. The Monarchs finish the 2021-22 season 17-9 overall.

The first quarter saw a solid start from both teams in the semifinal matchup with King's (17-9) leading, 18-16, thanks to a buzzer-beating three from junior Cailin Wilson after the opening quarter of play. A three from senior Emily Kriston with 8:27 to go on the half gave the Monarchs the five point advantage, 23-18. A scoring drought opened up before Stevens (19-6) broke it with an 8-0 run that started with 5:59 to play in the second. The teams traded baskets in the final possessions of the half with the Ducks ahead, 28-25.

The Moanrchs kept the game within single digits until a three from first year Alli Lindsay at the 2:38 mark of the third pulled King's within five. The Ducks put two more on the board to end the quarter ahead, 43-36. Stevens built a 12-point advanatge with 5:51 to go in the game, but King's had an answer with a 9-0 run to close within three, 50-47, with 1:27 remaining. Back-and-forth action ensued ending with another three from Kriston with 23 ticks left and King's still trailing, 54-52. King's fouled, and the Ducks hit 3-of-4. Out of the next timeout at the four-second mark, Costello connected on a lob pass from the sideline to make it a three-point game, 57-54. Stevens hit both on the other end, and time expired to post the 59-54 loss in the MAC Freedom semifinals on Friday night.

Costello connected on 8-of-13 from the floor to lead the offense for the Monarchs. Kriston played a heckuva game to finish her career with 14 points, seven assists, six boards, and two steals, while Lindsay came off the bench to tally nine points. Additionally, senior Samantha Rajza rounded out the offense with seven points and matched that with seven caroms.

Stevens was led by Jess Broad with a game-high 21 points and adding six rebounds, while Danielle Cornetta collected a team-best eight boards.

As a team, the Monarchs assisted on 17 of 21 baskets in the loss. The defense also forced 19 Ducks turnovers and collected 11 steals. King's bench outscored Stevens, 12-10, and edged out the Ducks in second-chance points, 12-9.