DALLAS, PA (January 20, 2024) -- The Monarchs struggled offensively in this road test in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play as the King's College women's basketball team fell, 59-38, at Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs fall to 3-14 overall and 0-6 in the conference, while the Cougars improve to 7-10 and 1-5 in the standings.
 
Lauren Casey was a force inside for the Monarchs throughout the opening quarter, scoring seven of their nine points, but the host Misericordia (7-10, 1-5 MAC Freedom) had the 13-9 edge after the first quarter. The Cougars put up the first four points in the second, but big threes from Cadie Lewis and Kathy Shepherd pulled King's (3-14, 0-6 MAC Freedom) within three. Misericordia then went on a 6-0 run to end the half with a 26-17 edge heading into the break.
 
King's saw seven early points come in off the hands of Casey through the first 3:08 of the third to cut the deficit to six with 6:52 left, but the Cougars responded with a 16-5 rally to hold a 46-29 advantage over the Monarchs at the end of the quarter. Shepherd drained another triple to start the fourth as King's came within 14, but Misericordia held off any late comeback efforts from the Monarchs as King's dropped the 59-38 final in Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
 
Casey poured in a new career-high 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting with three rebounds and a block. Shepherd came off the bench to add nine points with three boards and a steal, while Lewis added five points, four caroms, and team-highs of three assists and three steals. Additionally, Juleesah Hines collected a team-best six rebounds with two steals.
 
Misericordia was led by Skylar Bianchi with a game-high 27 points, making it a double-double with 11 boards to go along with two steals and a pair of blocks.
 
King's dished out assists on nearly half of their baskets, while the defense forced 12 turnovers by Misericordia and a 26.7% shooting effort from beyond the arc. The Monarchs bench also out scored the Cougars' 9-5 in the setback.
 
The Monarchs will look to rebound on Wednesday night as they remain on the road with a trip to Annville, Pa. to take on Lebanon Valley College. Tip off in the MAC Freedom contest is set for 7:00 p.m.