FEBRUARY 17, 2018

KING'S MEN FALL SHORT IN LATE RALLY TO FDU AS FINAL SHOT CAROMS OFF RIM

WILKES-BARRE -- The King's College basketball nearly overcame a 12-point deficit with 3:24 to play, but Connor Callejas' three-pointer at the buzzer caromed off the rim as the Monarchs dropped an 89-87 verdict to visiting FDU-Florham on the final day of the season for both teams.

With the loss, King's ended its campaign at 10-15 overall record and a 6-8 MAC Freedom Conference ledger while FDU finished with at 3-22 and 3-11. 

After King's took a 44-41 lead into the halftime break the Devils outscored the Monarchs 36-20 over the first 12: 07 of the second half to build a 77-64 advantage with 7:52 to play in the contest.

FDU maintained an 84-72 lead with 3:24 remaining when the Monarchs mounted a comeback.

King's used a jumper by Joshua Bailey, two free throws from Noah Tanner, and a three-pointer from Callejas to close to within 84-79 with 2:09 on the clock. After a steal and lay-up from Tanner cut the score to 84-81 with 1:54 to play, FDU mad two foul shots to push the score to 86-81 with 1:24 remaining.

King's Tony Maloney buried a three-pointer with 0:42 to go, cutting the Devil lead to 88-87. But the Monarchs were called for a foul with 0:13 remaining and FDU made one-of-two attempts to move the score to 87-89 with 0:12 left.

After a King's timeout, Callejas attempted the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer but the ball bounced off the room as FDU held on the victory.

It was a frustrating loss for the Monarchs who had two starters foul out and a third saddled with four fouls. The Monarchs also went through a period of poor shooting, missing 10 straight shots at one point.

Callejas finished with 23 points and four assists while making a trio of three-pointers, finishing his collegiate career with 1,295 points. Tyler Millan added 17 points and five rebounds, while Noah Tanner followed with 14 points, five assists, and four steals. Senior Chris Fazzini finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play before fouling out with 9:44 remaining on a bizarre technical foul call, one of a number of head-scratching calls in the game. he concluded his career with 1,035 points. Dan Angelo chipped in with seven points in his final game.

Darren Davy and Rajaan Dixon led the Devils with 21 points apiece.