WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 17, 2024) -- The duo of Lauren Casey and Kathy Shepherd each tallied 15 points to lead the King's College women's basketball team as they dropped a 72-59 decision in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play to the visiting Delaware Valley University on Wednesday night in McGrane Gymnasium. With the setback, the Monarchs fall to 3-13 overall and 0-5 in the MAC Freedom, while the Aggies improved to 12-4 and 3-2 in the standings.
 
The conference battle was evenly contested through the opening 10 minutes of action as neither team led by more than a bucket with the score knotted at 13-13 after the first. It was more of the same for much of the second before Delaware Valley (12-4, 3-2 MAC Freedom) finished the half on a 7-3 run as King's (3-13, 0-5 MAC Freedom) faced a 34-28 deficit at the break.
 
The Aggies hit two quick shots to start the second to take a 38-28 advantage, but the Monarchs answered with a steal and score from Gianna Dickson and a layup from Casey to close back within a two-possession game, 38-32, with 7:16 to go in the third. The visiting Delaware Valley found their rhythm over the next 5:19 of play as they used a 12-2 spurt to go up, 50-34. The Monarchs had the final say in the frame, scoring the final seven points of the period as they trailed, 50-41, heading into the fourth.
 
The Monarchs used that moment to begin the final quarter of action, taking advantage of a three-point play from Layla Orth and a put back from Casey to close within 50-46 with 8:21 to play, but Delaware Valley held King's to just two points over the next five minutes and did not look back as the Monarchs fell, 72-59 in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
 
Casey posted her 15-point effort on 7-of-14 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block, while Shepherd added her team-high tying 15 points, going 5-for-11 from the floor and adding four boards. Dickson tallied nine points with a team-high three steals, five caroms, and two assists, and Cadie Lewis had a well-rounded game of six rebounds, four points, and four assists.
 
The Aggies were led by Haley Keenan with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, adding five assists, four steals, and two blocks, while Maisie Neuber added 16 points, seven boards, and three steals.
 
King's shot 37% from the floor in the contest, dishing out 11 assists on 20 made field goals, while finishing the game even in the rebounding margin at 35. The defense forced 16 turnovers, and the Monarchs capitalized on their 11 offensive rebounds with a 14-9 edge in second-chance points.
 
The Monarchs will look to bounce back in MAC Freedom play on Saturday afternoon as they make the short trip up the mountain to Dallas, Pa. Tip off at Misericordia University is set for 1:00 p.m.