MADISON, NJ (January 27, 2024) -- Brenna Costello poured in new career-high with 21 points to pace five in double figures, but their strong offensive outing came up just shy in a heartbreaking 94-88 double overtime loss at FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon. With the setback in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) game, the Monarchs fall to 3-16 overall and 0-8 in the standings, while the Devils improved to 10-8 with a 3-5 conference mark.
 
The opening half set the tone for the remainder of the game as the Monarchs shot 53.85% from the floor in the first 30 minutes. Over the first 3:40 of play there were four lead changes with FDU-Florham (10-8, 3-5 MAC Freedom) ahead, 9-8, before the Devils opened the scoring with 15 unanswered points. King's (3-16, 0-8 MAC Freedom) battled back with their own 11-0 spurt to close within one, 20-19, with 1:48 to go in the quarter. FDU-Florham had the final say in the fast-paced first quarter, draining two more buckets, to hold a 24-19 edge over the Monarchs.
 
A big three from Gianna Dickson sparked a 7-0 rally to put King's back on top, 26-24, with 7:55 remaining in the half. The final stretch of the half featured three ties and three lead changes with neither team leading by more than four points, but FDU-Florham had the advantage at the break, 41-40.
 
The sharp shooting efforts by both teams slowed in the third, but the Devils kept an 11-8 scoring margin in the period as the Monarchs trailed, 52-48, heading into the fourth. FDU-Florham built a seven-point edge with a three in the first 33 seconds of the quarter, but six points from Lauren Casey and a fast break jumper from Brenna Costello pulled King's within a basket, 58-56, with 6:46 to play.
 
Each time the Devils attempted to build a comfortable lead, the Monarchs responded. With FDU-Florham ahead, 68-64, with 1:46 left in regulation, Cadie Lewis sunk a pair of free throws and hit a three on a second-chance opportunity to put King's ahead, 69-68, with 39 seconds to go. The Devils hit a timely basket on their next possession and the Monarchs were forced to foul and send Gabrielle Walker to the free throw line where she hit both with seven seconds left. It was in transition with the final ticks fading away that Caileigh Costello found an open Dickson on the wing for the game-tying triple to send the game to the first overtime period.
 
The first five minutes of added time mirrored the first four quarters of action with neither team leading by more than one possession. FDU-Florham took an 81-78 lead, connecting for 4-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute, but out of a Monarchs timeout, Brenna Costello hit Lewis at the top of the key for another timely three to extend the game to a second overtime.
 
The Devils stormed out of the gate in the final five minutes of the game, scoring the first four points and never looking back as they out scored King's 13-7 to hand the Monarchs the heartbreaking 94-88 double overtime MAC Freedom loss on the road on Saturday afternoon.
 
Brenna Costello led five in double figures with a new career-high 21 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals, while Lewis posted 15 points, six boards, three helpers, and two takeaways in 48 minutes of action. Dickson recorded 14 points, four caroms, three dimes, and two steals, and Casey added 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting with a team-high nine rebounds. Caileigh Costello rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 of her own, going 4-for-8 from the floor, with seven boards, four assists, and two steals. Kathy Shepherd came off the bench to add nine points, and Rowan Murray grabbed eight rebounds as well.
 
Neysa Aguilar poured in a game-high 35 points to lead FDU-Florham, while Shannon Tighe had a double-double of 16 rebounds and 12 points in the win.
 
King's had a strong shooting day, connecting for 40.8% from the floor and 45% from beyond the arc, handing out 16 assists on their 31 field goals. The Monarchs limited FDU-Florham to 38.8% from the floor and forced 16 Devils turnovers. King's also had edge in the battle on the boards, 53-49, over the Devils, and had the 15-14 advantage in points off the bench.
 
The Monarchs look to build off this strong performance on Wednesday evening as they host DeSales University in MAC Freedom play. Tip off in the conference battle is set for 7:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.