WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 27, 2023) -- Carmine Castiello led all scorers, while Garrett Burys posted a double-double as the King's College men's basketball team topped Centenary University, 85-78, to win their fourth straight in McGrane Gymnasium on Monday evening. The Monarchs improved to 5-2 overall, while the Cyclones stand at 0-6.
 
The non-conference match up was a shootout to start with Centenary (0-6) leading 8-6 with 16:48 to go in the half before the defenses settled in over the next 2:35 of action. The next stretch featured five ties and five lead changes with the Monarchs ahead, 38-34, at the break as Burys delivered 10 of his first-half points in the final 4:13 of the half.
 
King's (5-2) hit the ground running to start the second half, building a double-digit advantage, 47-36, capped off by another five points from Burys, with 17:23 to play. The Cyclones did not allow the Monarchs to run away with the contest as they tied the game at 49 a piece with 14:25 remaining. The next 6:56 of action mirrored the first half with four stalemates and four lead changes before a three from Castiello and a five-point spurt from Patrick Bennie pushed the King's lead to 65-60 with 6:59 to go in regulation. The Monarchs maintained their offensive flow down the stretch while connecting on 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final 52 seconds to secure the 85-78 win over Centenary on Monday night in McGrane Gymnasium.
 
King's was led by Castiello as he poured in a game-high 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, with two assists, while Burys added his double-double of 17 points and 15 boards to go along with two helpers. Chris Patton tallied 12 points to go with five dimes and four rebounds, while Ray Gooley came off the bench to round out the top scorers with 10. Bennie was solid in the contest, totaling eight points with three assists, while Jake Karnish continued his strong play with 11 rebounds, six assists, six points, and a steal.
 
Centenary was led by Trevor Giordano off the bench with 20 points, while Tyler Clark added 14 points and nine rebounds. Additionally, both Kenneth Rankin and Eseosa Omoruyi dished out four assists a piece.
 
The Monarchs connected on 46.7% of their baskets and 42.9% from three, dishing out 23 assists on their 28 field goals with nine triples. The Monarchs won the battle on the boards, 42-36, while taking care of the ball, as they committed just seven turnovers in the win. King's also dominated the paint in the victory, out scoring the Cyclones 34-28.
 
King's returns to McGrane Gymnasium for their final contest before the finals-week break, hosting Penn State Abington on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.