WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 9, 2022) -- The King's College men's basketball team struggled against a hot-shooting and top-ranked DeSales University offense, falling 80-54, at home in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

King's (6-13, 2-11 MAC Freedom) had a strong start to this contest, leading 15-5 off a steal by JJ Glinsky and a finish from sophomore Carmine Castiello with 15:51 to go in the opening half. DeSales (20-3, 13-1 MAC Freedom) scored 12 unanswered points to take a 17-15 lead with 12:15 remaining in the half. The Monarchs tied the game at 20 off a three from junior Collin Cook with 8:52 to play before the break, but the Bulldogs responded with a 23-7 rally to end the half with the Monarchs trailing, 43-27.

A much slower start to the second half saw King's struggle to find the basket, opening the second half on a scoring drought before first year Chris Patton hit a three with 14:28 left in the game, trailing 52-30. It was all Bulldogs down the stretch as King's fell, 80-54, in McGrane Gymnasium in MAC Freedom play.

Castiello led three Monarchs in double figures with 13 points and two assists, while first year Eamonn Walsh added 12 points and two assists. Senior Joey Lindsay came off the bench to shot a perfect 4-for-4, including 2-of-2 from three, in four minutes, totaling 12 points. Senior Noah Tanner dished out four assists, while first years Patrick Bennie and Saquan Portee each collected three rebounds.

DeSales had a balanced scoring attack led by Timmy Edwards with 12 points and six boards, while Ryan Boylan added 10 points and a team-high six assists with four rebounds.

King's shot 38.9 percent (21-54) from the floor and 35.7 percent (10-28) from beyond the arc in the game, dishing out 15 assists on 21 field goals. 

The Monarchs are back in action on Saturday as they celebrate senior day on February 12 at 3:00 p.m. against the Devils of FDU-Florham in McGrane Gymnasium.