WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 1, 2023) -- Sophomore Lauren Casey poured in a career-high 16 points, but her efforts came up just short as the King's College women's basketball team fell, 61-50, to the visiting Misericordia University Cougars in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night. With the loss in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest, the Monarchs fall to 6-15 and 5-7 in the conference standings, while the Cougars improve to 15-5 and 8-3 in the MAC Freedom.

King's (6-15, 5-7 MAC Freedom) struggled early as Misericordia (15-5, 8-3 MAC Freedom) rattled off the first 13 points of the game. The Monarchs responded as they out scored the Cougars 15-7 over the final 5:38 of the quarter to trail by just five, 20-15, heading into the second quarter of play. After King's climbed back within four, 22-18, off a layup from Casey with 9:02 remaining in the half, the pace slowed as neither team seemed to find a rhythm offensively before heading into the break with Misericordia ahead, 30-22.

The Cougars had the upper hand to start the third, rebuilding their double-digit advantage, 36-24, with 6:03 to go in the third, but King's would keep this one close as they faced a 45-34 deficit heading into the final quarter of play. A quick Cougars bucket to start the fourth would then see the Monarchs score the next seven points unanswered as the Misericordia lead dwindled to 47-41 with 7:24 left on the game clock. The teams would trade baskets down the stretch, but it was Misericordia who would come up with the big plays in the final possessions as King's fell, 61-50, on their home court in the MAC Freedom contest.

Casey's career-high 16 points came on 5-of-9 shooting while she collected a team-high five boards. First year Kathy Shepherd added nine points to go along with two assists, while junior Kiersten Krouse led with four assist and four steals.

Misericordia saw three in double figures, led by Meaghan McCaffrey off the bench with 14 points, while Gianna Delfino grabbed 11 rebounds with eight assists and three steals.

The Monarchs overall had a strong shooting night, going 42.9 percent form the field and adding 14 assists on 18 baskets. The defensive efforts from three remained strong as they limited the Cougars to just 7-of-22 (31.8 percent) from beyond the arc.

King's will be on the road on Saturday afternoon in an important MAC Freedom match up with Arcadia University. The opening game in the conference doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m. in Glenside, Pa.

--MONARCHS--