WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 7, 2025) — The King's College men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 88–87 overtime loss to Lebanon Valley College on Wednesday night at McGrane Gymnasium in the MAC Freedom opener. The Monarchs fall to 3–9 overall and 0–1 in conference play, while the Flying Dutchmen improve to 3-9 and 1–0 in the MAC Freedom.

Lebanon Valley jumped out to a fast start, using early turnovers and efficient shooting to build a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. King's struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, but Matt Christian provided a spark off the bench, connecting on multiple three-pointers for nine first half points, keeping the Monarchs within reach.

Despite trailing by as many as 19 in the first half, King's closed the period with a 10-2 run to gain momentum going into half. Jaden Hall and Ben Rodner-Tims helped steady the offense, while Sean Forrest added key baskets inside. A steal and fastbreak three from Christian at the buzzer highlighted the stretch and cut the deficit to 42–32 heading into the locker room.

The Monarchs carried that energy into the second half, opening the frame with an aggressive 13-5 run behind Forrest and Rodner-Tims going to work in the paint, while Ben Malley and Hall knocked down timely shots from beyond the arc to trim the Flying Dutchmen lead to just two with 13 minutes to play.

King's continued to battle down the stretch, tying the game at 71 in the final seconds of regulation behind a three from Forrest and clutch free throws from Hall. Lebanon Valley's was unable to get a look for a game-winner in regulation as the inbound pass was tipped and time expired before any action could be made.

The extra period featured several lead changes as both teams traded baskets. Devin Kimmick and Hall delivered timely scoring, including a three from Kimmick that gave King's an 84–79 advantage with just 21 seconds to play.

After multiple trips to the free-throw line and a costly turnover, the Monarchs held an 87–86 lead in the closing seconds, but Lebanon Valley connected on a last-second fadeaway from the elbow to come away with the conference win.

Hall led the Monarchs with 22 points, adding five rebounds and three assists while going 11-of-15 from the charity stripe. Christian followed with 15 points off the bench, while Rodner-Tims finished with 14 points and eight assists. Forrest chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds, and Kimmick recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Monarchs return to action on Saturday, January 10, as they travel to Madison, NJ to take on FDU-Florham at 3:00 p.m.