WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 3, 2024) -- Junior guard Chris Patton added a game-high tying 28 points to pace the King's College men's basketball team in a 86-71 setback to the visiting Arcadia University on Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play. With the setback in McGrane Gymnasium, the Monarchs drop to 11-10 overall and 3-7 in the conference, while the Knights improved to 13-8 and 5-3 in the standings.

Patton scored the first seven for King's (11-10, 3-7 MAC Freedom) as Arcadia (13-8, 5-3 MAC Freedom) came out firing to open the MAC Freedom battle to hold a 22-9 edge over the Monarchs with 13:18 to go in the opening half. Eight unanswered points by the Monarchs saw King's cut the deficit to just five, 22-17, with 10:45 to play, but the Knights responded to rebuild their double-digit advantage. A three-point play from Patton with 31 ticks left before the break pulled the Monarchs within 42-33 heading into the locker room.
 
The Monarchs closed the gap again as a bucket from Patton saw King's trailing by seven, 46-39, with 17:30 to go, but the sharp-shooting Knights offense could not be slowed as King's fell, 86-71, in the MAC Freedom match up on Saturday afternoon.
 
Patton recorded a game-high tying 28 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 3-for-4 from three, to go along with team-bests of eight rebounds and three steals. Carmine Castiello put up 11 points with a 3-for-6 effort from beyond the arc, adding four helpers, while Eamonn Walsh dished out a team-leading five assists with six boards and seven points. Additionally, Garrett Burys added six points, five rebounds, a block, and a steal, while Darren Yost had four dimes, three caroms, and a bucket.
 
Nas Johnson led Arcadia with 28 points, connecting for 10-for-20 from the floor and 6-of-12 from three, while Joshua Okocha pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
 
The Monarchs shot 37.9% for the game and 35% from three, dishing out 17 assists on their 25 field goals. The defensive effort forced 13 Arcadia turnovers, leading to a 13-7 edge in points off turnovers, while King's also had the advantage in second-chance points (12-10) and bench points (23-22).
 
King's will return to their home court in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday evening as they host Delaware Valley University in MAC Freedom play. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m.