WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 1, 2023) -- Sophomore Chris Patton poured in a career night, recording his first career double with career highs of 31 points and 11 boards as he led the King's College men's basketball team to an important Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) win over Misericordia University on Wednesday night in McGrane Gymnasium. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 8-12 overall and 3-9 in the MAC Freedom, while the Cougars drop to 10-10 with a 5-6 conference mark.
 
King's (8-12, 3-9 MAC Freedom) seemed to fire on all cylinders to start the competitive conference contest, coming up with big defensive plays and even better finishes on the offensive end as they built a 23-12 lead with 14:13 to go in the opening half. Misericordia (10-10, 5-6 MAC Freedom) would climb within four, 32-28, with 7:45 remaining, but the Monarchs used a 15-4 run that extended until there was only 1:25 left in the half before heading into the break leading the Cougars 47-34.
 
The Cougars came storming out of the gate to inch within two, 50-48, with 11:50 to go on the game clock, but the Monarchs responded as they rebuilt their 15-point advantage over the next 9:40, leading 70-55 with 2:10 to play. King's was able to silence any comeback effort from Misericordia, going 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the final 1:25 as the Monarchs secured the 74-64 win over the Cougars in the MAC Freedom match up in McGrane Gymnasium.
 
Patton's career-high 31 points came on 11-of-16 shooting, including a near-perfect 4-for-5 from three, adding 11 boards with a team-high four steals, an assist, and a block. First year Garrett Burys also had a balanced game with 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two assists. Junior Will Johnson rounded out the top scorers for King's with 13 points, adding a team-high five assists, while Eamonn Walsh collected two steals.
 
Nate Kreitzer led three Cougars in double figures with 15 points and two assists, while Nick Hornung pulled down a team-high nine boards with a block.
 
King's shot 43.3 percent (26-60) from the field and 47.4 percent (9-19) from three after shooting an incredibly impressive 58.1 percent from the field in the first half. The Monarchs also dished out 15 assists on their 26 baskets, while the defense forced 13 Cougars turnovers and limited Misericordia to a 37.3 percent shooting night. While King's was slightly edged on the boards, 39-35, the Monarchs held the advantage in points off turnovers (9-6), second chance points (6-2), points in the paint (18-12), and fast break points (5-3).
 
The Monarchs will head back on the road on Saturday afternoon as they take on Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. in another important MAC Freedom contest. Tip off is set for 3:00 p.m.