CENTER VALLEY, PA (January 10, 2024) -- In a tough Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) match up with #21/#23 DeSales University, the King's College women's basketball team battled on the road before falling, 81-38, on Wednesday night. The Monarchs stand at 3-11 overall and 0-3 in the conference, while the Bulldogs improve to 12-2 and 3-0 in the MAC Freedom.
 
King's (3-11, 0-3 MAC Freedom) traded baskets early in the contest, using early scores from Caileigh and Brenna Costello in the opening 1:27 of play to trail by just one, 5-4. DeSales (12-2, 3-0 MAC Freedom) then used a 7-0 spurt to take control of the half to hold a 52-19 edge at the halftime break.
 
The host Bulldogs kept up their momentum to start the second, scoring the first nine in the third, before a jumper from Cadie Lewis broke the drought. A pair of free throws from Kathy Shepherd to end the third sparked some energy from the Monarchs as they out scored DeSales 15-14 in the fourth before dropping the 81-38 decision in Billera Hall on Wednesday evening.
 
Lauren Casey paced the offense with eight points off the bench, shooting 3-for-6 from the floor, while grabbing four rebounds and blocking two shots. Caileigh Costello recorded seven points, while Lewis added six with three boards and two assists. Brenna Costello posted five tallies, three caroms, two steals, and a dime, while Layla Orth and Brandy Varner both collected a team-leading five rebounds and Kathy Shepherd added four.
 
Olivia Scotti led three in double figures with a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds, while Morgan Sterner added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.
 
King's shot 31.8% from the floor in the loss, handing out seven helpers on their 14 field goals, while the defense blocked six shots.
 
The Monarchs will look to bounce back at home on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Ducks of Stevens Institute of Technology at 1:00 p.m. in MAC Freedom play.