WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 7, 2024) -- The King's College women's basketball team closed within a bucket with 2:16 to play, but the visiting Stevenson University pulled away late as the Monarchs dropped the 57-50 decision to the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon. With the setback, the Monarchs fall to 3-5 overall, while the Mustangs improved to 3-4.
 
Each basket had an answer throughout the first 10 minutes of play with Stevenson (3-4) ahead, 13-9, at the end of the quarter.
 
An early three by the Mustangs in the second was answered by a six-point spurt by Lauren Casey to close within one, 16-15, with 7:41 left in the half. After trading scores, Casey delivered a jumper, and Layla Orth converted a layup to give King's (3-5) the 21-18 edge with 3:00 remaining in the second. It was a back-and-forth finish to the frame as the Monarchs faced a 24-23 deficit at the break.
 
The Monarchs opened the third with a 12-3 run to jump ahead, 35-27, on a pair of free throws from Cadie Lewis with 3:26 to go. The game turned to a three-point shootout as the game featured four made triples down the stretch. The Mustangs tied the contest at 41 a piece with 40 ticks left, but a layup from Lewis put King's back ahead, 43-41, heading into the final quarter of play.
 
Stevenson scored the first five points of the fourth before Lewis put King's in the scoring column in the quarter with 5:38 left. It was a battle down the stretch when Alli Lindsay drained a three with 2:16 to play to close within two, 52-50. The Monarchs went cold in the remaining possessions, and the Mustangs went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the final 22 seconds as King's dropped the 57-50 decision on Saturday afternoon in McGrane Gymnasium.
 
Gianna Dickson had 12 points, while Casey added 12 points and four rebounds. Lewis collected a team-high 10 boards to go with nine points, four assists, and two steals, while Lindsay added eight points, six dimes, four caroms, and a block.
 
Stephenae Lawrence led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Tessa Boswell grabbed seven rebounds. Additionally, Nadie Ferguson posted 13 points, four steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
 
King's shot 32.8% from the floor in the game with 16 assists on their 19 fields goals. The defense limited the Mustangs to 29.4% (5-of-17) from beyond the arc and forced 20 miscues that led to a 22-13 edge in points off turnovers. The Monarchs also had a 38-35 edge in the rebounding margin, adding to the 8-6 advantage in second-chance points.
 
The Monarchs will be off for their finals-week break before returning to McGrane Gymnasium on Monday, December 16 to host Marywood University. Tip off in the non-conference contest is set for 6:00 p.m.