JANUARY 18, 2017

KING'S MEN FALL TO MISERICORDIA 62-48 AFTER SCORING DROUGHT OVER FINAL SEVEN MINUTES OF PLAY

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College men's basketball team scored just two points over the final 7:30 of play and visiting Misericordia University took full advantage as the Cougars walked away with an important 62-48 victory in a Freedom Conference matchup in Scandlon Gymnasium.

With the win, Misericordia improved to 11-5 overall and 2-3 in Freedom Conference games.  King's, meanwhile, fell to 4-11 and 0-5 in league competition while dropping its ninth straight game on the year.

King's started out well and built a 9-6 lead on two three-pointers by Joshua Bailey and another from Connor Callejas. Misericordia answered and took a 10-9 lead with 15:45 left in the opening half on a dun by Tre Fields. The teams would play tough, physical basketball, going back and forth with neither squad building a commanding lead. After the Cougars built a 17-11 lead on a pair of Tony Harding free throws, King's eventually closed to within 17-16 after a jumper by Dan Rutecki, a driving lay-up from Chris Fazzini, and one-of-two free throws from Callejas with 8:29 to go in the half.

After Misericordia used a 8-2 spurt to up the lead to 25-18 with 3:26 to go, the Monarchs countered with a 6-0 surge of their own to cut the margin to 25-24 at the 1:49 mark. But the Cougars got five straight points from Jason Kenney to take a 30-24 lead into the halftime break.

The second half featured more of the same as the Monarchs stayed within striking distance. King's trailed 44-40 with 9:01 left but the Monarchs tied the game at 46-46 with 7:31 remaining thanks to six straight points by Tyler Millan.

But the Monarchs went cold, missing their next four shots before Rutecki made a short jumper to bring King's to within 51-48 with 5:53 on the clock. But King's closed out the game missing their final nine shots from the field as the Cougars ended the contest with a 11-0 run. In all, the Monarchs made just one of their final 14 shots once the game was tied 46-46.

King's shot just 26.0 (19-73) percent from the field for the game and were just 3-of-10 from the foul line. Misericordia shot 38.0 (19-50) percent from the field and made just 17.4 (4-23) percent of its three-point attempts. The Cougars, however, capitalized at the foul line, converting 20-of-30 attempts. King's committed 20 turnovers in the game compared to 18 for the Cougars.

Rutecki led King's with 14 points and tied his career-high with 17 rebounds. Callejas followed with 13 points, five rebounds, including four three-pointers.No other Monarch scored more than six points in the game.

Kenny led Misericordia with 18 points  while Fields tallied 13 points and 14 rebounds. Griffin Sponaugle chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds.

King's will return to action Saturday with a 3:00 PM home matchup with cross-town rival Wilkes in Scandlon Gymnasium.


COMMUNITY SERVICE NOTE FOR SATURDAY'S GAME VS. WILKES

On Saturday during the King's vs. Wilkes women's and men's basketball doubleheader in Scandlon Gymnasium, King's basketball teams will be supporting the "A Moment of Magic Foundation" and will help raise funds during the game.

A Moment of Magic was founded by Kylee McGrane, great granddaughter Bob McGrane, who served as King's men's basketball coach from 1954-1967.

A Moment of Magic is an organization benefitting children with Pediatric Cancer and King's will aid the foundation in its fund-raising efforts on Saturday. At both the women's and men's contests, baskets passed around Scandlon Gymnasium with the hopes of raising money for the children.

In addition, there will be a fundraiser at Rodano's on Public Square following the games. Admission to the fundraiser at Rodano's is $25.00 and includes unlimited pizza, stromboli, and beverages. There are also raffles for Thomas Rhett concert tickets, 100 raffle baskets from local vendors, as well as two round-trip tickets to a destination of your choice on JetBlue Airlines.

More information about the organization can be found at:  http://www.amomentofmagic.org/