CHESTER, PA (November 10, 2023) -- In their second-straight road test to start the 2023-24 season, the King's College men's basketball team fell on the road at Widener University on Friday night, 105-80, in the opening round of the Tip Off for Autism Awareness. With the setback in the Schwartz Center, the Monarchs drop to 1-1 overall, while the Pride begin their season 1-0.
 
The teams traded baskets in the opening minute before Widener (1-0) rattled off the next 11 points to begin to build their lead. King's (1-1) continued to ship away at the Pride's lead, but the veteran-heavy host team continued to shine holding a 64-31 advantage at the halftime break.
 
The Monarchs out scored the Pride 49-41 in the final 20 minutes of action, getting as close as 98-77 on a three from first year Tyler Klym with 3:00 to play, but King's ultimately fell, 105-80, at Widener on Friday evening.
 
Sophomore Garrett Burys led the scoring with nine points, adding a team-high five boards, while first year Jaden Hall added nine points with two assists, a block, and a steal. Senior Carmine Castiello added seven points with a team-best three helpers, while Ray Gooley added eight points and a team-leading two steals.
 
Dominic Dunn paced the Pride with 19 points, while Howie Rankine Jr. had 11 points with team-bests of seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
 
As a team, the Monarchs had another strong shooting night, connecting for 40.3 percent (25-62) from the field and 33.3 percent (9-27) from beyond the arc. King's shared the ball well as they delt 15 assists on 25 baskets, while collecting 33 team boards. The Monarchs held the Pride to 27.3 percent from three in the contest, and the King's bench out scored the Widener reserves, 51-49.
 
King's will return to the Schwartz Center tomorrow afternoon as they face Stockton University in the consolation match up of the Tip Off for Autism Awareness. Action is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.