GLENSIDE, PA (January 8, 2024) -- It was a battle from start to finish in Glenside on Monday afternoon in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) match up, but the host Arcadia University outlasted the King's College men's basketball team, 81-72, in overtime to hand the Monarchs their first conference loss of the season. The Monarchs stand at 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the MAC Freedom standings, while the Knights improve to 8-5 and pick up their first conference victory with a 1-1 mark.
 
It was a battle from the start as neither team led by more than a possession before Arcadia (8-5, 1-1 MAC Freedom) went ahead, 10-4, with 15:41 left in the opening half. King's (9-4, 1-1 MAC Freedom) continued to go toe-to-toe with the Knights, but the hosts posted a 12-point edge, 31-19, with 7:57 to go before the break. Seven unanswered points from Eamonn Walsh and a three from Chris Patton pulled the Monarchs within a basket, 31-29, with 3:21 remaining, but Arcadia responded as they closed out the half on a 7-2 run to lead the Monarchs, 38-31, heading into the locker room.
 
The teams continued to match their high intensity from the first half, trading buckets through the first 11:01 of the second before a three from Conner Griffin tied the game at 51 a piece with 10:59 left in regulation. A great move to the rim by Ben Rodner-Tims put King's ahead for the first time in the game, 55-53, with 8:16 to go, sparking a 6-2 run for the Monarchs as the score stood at 59-55 in favor of the visitors with 6:46 on the game clock. The remainder of the second half featured three ties and two lead changes, with a three-point play from Devin Kimmick putting King's ahead in the final 2:49 before a timely three from Joshua Okocha with seven ticks left sent the contest to the extra period.
 
The Knights took charge early in overtime, connecting for the first five points of the period. A pair of free throws from Carmine Castiello and a layup from Griffin allowed King's within four, 72-68, with 2:37 to play, but Arcadia regained control down the stretch as the Monarchs dropped the 81-72 final on the road in MAC Freedom play on Monday afternoon.
 
Patton led the offense with 19 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Castiello posted 18 points, eight boards, two helpers, and a pair of steals. Jake Karnish rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, going 4-for-8 from the floor, and adding eight caroms and two takeaways, while Eamonn Walsh contributed seven points, two steals, and dished out a team-high five assists. Additionally, Griffin posted six points and five rebounds to lead the Monarchs reserves in the contest.
 
Okocha recorded a double-double with a game-high 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while Jalen Watkins added a double-double of 19 points and 19 boards with three assists, three blocks, and two steals.
 
King's shot 36.1% from the floor and 36.4% from beyond the arc in the loss, handing out 14 helpers on their 22 made baskets. The defense forced 15 Knights miscues as well in the setback.
 
The Monarchs have a quick turn around as they set their sights on Wednesday night's home match up with DeSales University. Tip off in the MAC Freedom contest is set for 7:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.