MADISON, NJ (January 27, 2024) -- Eamonn Walsh hit a corner jump shot in the final five seconds, and a three at the buzzer by the hosts missed the mark as the King's College men's basketball team got back in the win column with a thrilling 76-74 win on the road at FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon. With the win in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest, the Monarchs improved to 11-8 overall and 3-5 in the standings, while the Devils fall to 3-16 overall and 0-8 in the MAC Freedom.
 
The first half was an evenly-matched battle from the opening tip off, as play featured eight lead changes and seven ties across the first 20 minutes with neither team leading by more than five points. A layup from Walsh with 1:34 to go in the half put King's (11-8, 3-5 MAC Freedom) ahead, 33-32, but Andrew Piombino Jr. hit a free throw with 34 ticks left to tie the game at 33 a piece heading into the break.
 
The team's traded scores early, but with the game tied again at 36-36 after the first 1:02 of the second, FDU-Florham (3-16, 0-8 MAC Freedom) went on an 8-2 run to post their largest lead of the game, 44-38, with 15:48 to go. The Devils continued to hold their edge over the next 4:48 before Dominic Jannuzzi connected for a pair from the charity stripe to tie the game, and a triple from Chris Patton put the Monarchs back on top, 53-50, with 10:41 remaining.
 
It was a true MAC Freedom battle over the final stretch, with five ties and three lead changes over the course of 9:41 of the game clock. Heading into the final minute, Walsh hit a jumper in the paint to give the Monarchs the 71-70 advantage with 59 seconds left, but the Devils went down the floor and scored on a basket from Jaqwan Washington with 40 seconds to go. Out of a King's timeout, Patton laid it in and completed the three-point play at the free throw line with 26 ticks on the scoreboard.
 
Washington delivered again for the hosts, tying the game at 74-74 with 13 seconds remaining, but King's drew up a stellar play in their timeout as Kade Henninger dribbled to the opposite side of the floor to find a wide open Walsh in the corner for the basket with five seconds left. Washington attempted one final time to extend this game, but his three at the buzzer went wide as the Monarchs defeated FDU-Florham in an instant classic, 76-74, on Saturday afternoon.
 
Patton shined for the Monarchs, pouring in a new career-high of 33 points on 9-for-16 shooting while adding eight rebounds, two steals, and an assist, and Walsh added 20 points with three boards, two steals, and a helper. Patrick Bennie came off the bench to total six points, while both Jake Karnish and Jannuzzi collected four boards a piece.
 
Carson Woods paced FDU-Florham with 18 points, while Washington added 11 points with five assists to round out the leading scorers for the Devils.
 
King's had another strong outing offensively, connecting for 44.6% from the floor with seven threes, while the defense limited the Devils to 37.5% from beyond the arc and forced 12 FDU-Florham turnovers which led to a 12-6 edge for the Monarchs in points off turnovers. Additionally, the rebounding margin remained locked at 33 a piece.
 
The Monarchs will continue their two-game road stretch on Wednesday evening as they travel to Center Valley, Pa. to take on DeSales University. Tip off in the MAC Freedom match up is set for 7:00 p.m.