WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 11, 2025) -- A buzzer-beater from Jake Karnish was just off the mark as the King's College men's basketball team fell, 63-60, to Arcadia University in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs drop their first MAC Freedom contest in McGrane Gymnasium and fall to 6-5 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while the Knights improve to 7-6 and 2-0 in the standings.
 
The first 9:35 of action featured five ties and five lead changes as the game remained knotted at 12-12 with 10:25 to go in the first. After a three from Chris Patton, Arcadia (7-6, 2-0 MAC Freedom) scored the next seven points to jump ahead, 19-15 with 7:50 left. The teams traded possessions again, but with 1:35 remaining the Monarchs got six of their final eight points from Patton and the final two on a layup as time expired from Ben Rodner-Tims as they held a 27-25 edge heading into the locker room.
 
After a bucket from Arcadia to start the second, King's (6-5, 1-1 MAC Freedom) went on a 5-0 run, but the Knights would not go away easily. Back-to-back triples from the visitors sparked a 16-4 run as Arcadia went ahead, 43-36, with 14:16 to play. The Monarchs continued to battle, keeping it within a two-possession game, but a jumper from Josh Parks made it an eight-point game with 10:13 remaining.
 
It was a physical game down the stretch, but facing a 60-53 deficit with 5:07 to play, the Monarchs staged their comeback. A jumper from Garrett Burys got the ball rolling on a 7-0 spurt to tie the game at 60 a piece with 1:44 to go. Jamison Lynam drained a three with 26 ticks on the clock which would count as the final field goal in the game. King's had three solid possessions, but each attempt came up short as the Monarchs dropped their first MAC Freedom contest, 63-60 to Arcadia on Saturday afternoon.
 
Patton led all scorers with 28 points, adding nine rebounds and an assist, while Rodner-Tims totaled nine points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Burys collected nine boards to go along with six points and a steal, and Eamonn Walsh had six points and six caroms. Additionally, Jake Karnish contributed seven rebounds and three dimes.
 
Joshua Okocha led the Knights with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal, and Josh Parks added 15 points, five boards, two dimes, and a steal.
 
King's shot 38.2% from the floor, compiling 13 assists on their 21 field goals. The defense limited Arcadia to 23.5% from three and forced 11 turnovers. The Monarchs had the 40-39 advantage on the boards, as well as an 11-9 edge in points off turnovers and 8-7 lead in bench points.
 
The Monarchs will be back in action on Wednesday night, traveling to DeSales University for a 7:00 p.m. tip off in MAC Freedom play.