WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 11, 2023) -- A slow start doomed the King's College women's basketball team as they suffered the setback, 81-43, to #19 Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon in MAC Freedom play. On senior day in McGrane Gymnasium, the Monarchs fall to 8-16 overall and 7-8 in MAC Freedom action, while the Ducks improve to 20-3 and 13-1 against conference foes.

Stevens (20-3, 13-1) jumped out of the gate and never looked back, outscoring the Monarchs 25-5 in the opening quarter. King's (8-16, 7-8 MAC Freedom) would fare better in the second, but a similar story saw the Monarchs trailing, 44-12, at the break.

The Monarchs battled in the second half, but the Ducks held the slight edge in the scoring column, 37-31, in the final 20 minutes of action before posting the 81-43 final in McGrane Gymnasium.

Junior Caileigh Costello led King's with nine points, adding two rebounds and a steal, while junior Kiersten Krouse posted eight points, three boards, a team-high three assists, and a steal. Senior Sarah Heiskell-Mann and first years Juleesah Hines and Mackenzie Bennett all pulled down a team-best five rebounds a piece.

Stevens saw Leyla Castro and Jess Broad lead four in double figures with 12 points each, with Broad adding five steals, while Dorothy Loffredo collected a game-high seven boards. Additionally, Sammy Shea handed out a game-leading six helpers.

After struggling in the first half, King's shot 43.8 percent from the floor in the second half and 32.7 percent (18-55) from the field for the game.

The Monarchs will wrap up their regular season on Tuesday evening as they take on cross-town rival Wilkes University at 8:00 p.m. in the Marts Center.

--MONARCHS--