WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 28, 2026) — The King's College women's basketball team came up just short on Wednesday night, falling 62–59 to DeSales University in a MAC Freedom matchup inside McGrane Gymnasium. Despite a strong third quarter, turnovers proved to be the difference as the Monarchs (8-10, 1-6 MAC-F) struggled to overcome the Bulldogs' (12-6, 6-1 MAC-F) ability to convert miscues into points.

The two teams were evenly matched in the opening quarter, trading baskets to the tune of a 14-14 first quarter. Cadie Lewis got off to a strong start in the first with six points and three assists.

DeSales gained momentum in the second, pulling ahead by five in the early minutes. A Claire Aufiero layup at 6:10 sparked a 9-4 run that was capped off by a Irelynd Long layup to knot the game at 27-27 with 2:10 to play in the half. The Bulldogs came away with two stops and scores as they took a 31-27 lead into the halftime break.

King's opened the second half sparking a 7-0 run fueled by a Lewis three and four points from Gianna Dickson, pulling ahead 34-31 at the 8:28 mark. As DeSales attempted to regain the lead, the Monarchs kept the Bulldogs at bay with two three's from Lewis and another from Long, outscoring DeSales 21-13 in the quarter and taking a 50-44 lead into the fourth. 

Following a Dickson three to open the quarter and put the Monarchs up nine, DeSales responded with an 8-0 run to pull back within one with 6:04 to play. Dickson continued her strong shooting performance, connecting on two more shots from distance and giving King's a 59-54 lead with 3:19 remaining. 

The Bulldogs closed out the final three minutes with another 8-0 run, forcing two crucial turnovers and taking the lead by a score of 60-59 at the 1:09 mark. A stop and score with 37 seconds left put DeSales up three, as the Monarchs were unable to find the three to tie on their final possession, falling 62-59.

Lewis played the entire game and led King's with 15 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, while Dickson added 15 points of her own, knocking down three three-pointers. Lauren Casey finished with eight points and a team-high 13 rebounds, and Long chipped in nine points. Aufiero contributed eight points and eight rebounds, and Gabby Marsola added a spark off the bench with three points.

As a team, King's shot 40.0 percent from three-point range and 90.0 percent from the free throw line and held the Bulldogs to zero made threes, but committed 16 turnovers that led to key DeSales scoring runs.

Despite winning the third quarter and staying within one possession for much of the second half, the Monarchs were unable to overcome the turnover margin in the narrow home loss. The Monarchs conclude their home stretch on Saturday when FDU-Florham comes to town for a 1:00 p.m tip.

--MONARCHS--