WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 30, 2023) -- The King's College men's basketball team wrapped up their non-conference schedule on Saturday afternoon and saw their seven-game streak snapped with a 76-61 setback to the University of Scranton in McGrane Gymnasium. The Monarchs conclude the 2023 portion of their schedule with an 8-3 overall record, while the Royals get back in the win column and stand at 2-9 overall.
 
It was a quick start to this historic rivalry with the score standing at 12-10 in favor of the Royals with 14:21 to go in the opening half. Scranton (2-9) converted four baskets over the next 5:03 to build a 20-10 edge before a five-point spurt from Carmine Castiello broke the King's (8-3) scoring drought. After trading possessions, a three-point play from Chris Patton pulled the Monarchs within six, 28-22, with 4:28 to go before the break, but the Royals had the edge down the stretch as King's faced a 34-22 deficit heading into the locker room.
 
Each time it seemed as though Scranton might run away with the contest, King's had an answer. The Royals went up by 14 with 17:19 remaining, but a 10-4 run by the Monarchs fueled by four from Garrett Burys closed the gap to just eight, 43-35, with 13:29 to play. The Royals jumped ahead again, 66-47, with 4:02 left on the game clock, but the Monarchs continued to chip away at the advantage as they outscored Scranton 14-10 down the stretch before falling, 76-61, on Saturday afternoon and snapping their win streak.
 
Eamonn Walsh paced the Monarchs offense with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting and a perfect 3-of-3 effort from beyond the arc, adding three boards and a steal, while Patton added 17 points on a 7-for-16 outing with three helpers, a block, and a takeaway. Castiello rounded out the top scorers with 12 points, pulling down seven boards with a team-high four assists and a steal. Jake Karnish led King's with eight caroms, adding two dimes, while Matt Christian added five rebounds and two helpers.
 
Nick Ruisi led all scorers with 22 points, dishing out four assists, while Tahaj Parland dropped 16 to lead Scranton. Jon Spatola filled the stat sheet as well with eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block with 13 points to round out the top Royal contributors in the win.
 
King's took care of the ball in the setback, committing just nine turnovers while forcing 10 for the Royals. As a team, the Monarchs shot 39.4% from the floor and handed out 16 assists on their 26 baskets. The rebounding margin remained knotted at 37 a piece in the contest, while the Monarchs had the edge in second-chance points, 13-8, over Scranton.
 
The Monarchs will set their sights on their conference slate, opening Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action on Wednesday night in McGrane Gymnasium. King's is set to host FDU-Florham at 7:00 p.m. on January 3.