WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 13, 2024) -- The King's College women's basketball team faced a daunting halftime deficit in McGrane Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon, but the hosts used a strong third quarter to make a final push before falling, 78-61, to the visiting Stevens Institute of Technology in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest. The Monarchs now stand at 3-12 overall and 0-4 in the standings, while the Ducks improved to 7-8 with a 2-2 conference mark.
 
King's (3-12, 0-4 MAC Freedom) trailed by just one on a fast break layup from Gianna Dickson with 6:55 remaining in the first, but Stevens (7-8, 2-2 MAC Freedom) made a strong push to finish the quarter with a 24-13 advantage over the Monarchs. The Ducks continued to pressure King's in the second, but facing a 42-22 deficit with 2:10 remaining, the Monarchs got five quick points from Layla Orth to close within 45-27 at the halftime break.
 
Out of the locker room, the Monarchs executed their game plan as they out scored Stevens 20-13 in the third. Cadie Lewis got the scoring started, tallying the first six points in the quarter for the Monarchs to cut the deficit to 50-33 with 5:45 left in the period. Lauren Casey then recorded nine of her points as the Monarchs used a 14-8 run to end the quarter and trail by just 11, 58-47.
 
A quick layup from Lewis and four straight points from Rowan Murray saw King's climb back within five, 58-53, with 8:29 remaining in the MAC Freedom match up, but the Ducks reclaimed their double-digit advantage with six unanswered points over the next 2:28 and would not look back despite some last-stitch efforts from King's in the 78-61 setback on Saturday afternoon.
 
Lewis poured in a new career-high of 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting while totaling team-bests of six assists and three steals. Casey came up just shy of a double-double with 13 points, going 6-for-9 from the floor, with team-highs of nine rebounds and three blocks, while Orth totaled eight points and five boards. Both Gianna Dickson and Kathy Shepherd added seven points, with Shepherd posting five caroms and two steals, while Murray finished the contest with six points. Additionally, Juleesah Hines grabbed five rebounds in the setback.
 
Stevens finished with four in double figures led by Lucy Alberici with a game-high 17 points, adding six steals and five assist, while Dorothy Loffredo recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards.
 
King's had a strong shooting effort, going 40% from the floor and dishing out 14 assist on their 22 field goals. The defense limited Stevens to 37.5% shooting and forced 15 Ducks turnovers. While the Monarchs were edged in the rebounding margin, 45-36, King's had the advantage in bench points (34-33), points in the paint (28-24), and fast break points (11-9).
 
The Monarchs will return to their home court on Wednesday evening as they host Delaware Valley University in MAC Freedom play. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.