WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 26, 2023) – After coming out to a strong start, the top-ranked DeSales University proved to be too much as the King's College men's basketball team fell, 79-59, at home in McGrane Gymnasium in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) match up. With the loss, the Monarchs fall to 6-12 overall and 1-9 in conference play, while the Bulldogs improve to 16-3 and remain an unbeaten 10-0 in the MAC Freedom standings.

King's (6-12, 1-9 MAC Freedom) stormed out to an early 10-0 lead with 17:12 to go in the half behind seven points from sophomore Chris Patton before the Bulldogs got on the board 23 seconds later to get on the board in the MAC Freedom contest. DeSales (16-3, 10-0 MAC Freedom) rallied and forced two lead changes and a tie with the score knotted at 18 a piece with 10:43 left in the half and used that momentum to rattle off 12 unanswered points before heading into the locker room with the Monarchs trailing, 36-22.

The Monarchs started the second half strong with five straight points to close within nine, 36-27, with 17:39 remaining, but the Bulldogs had an answer as they rebuilt their lead and never looked back as King's fell, 79-59, on their home court of McGrane Gymnasium in the MAC Freedom contest on Thursday night.

King's was led by a 12-point, eight-rebound effort from first year Garrett Burys. Patton also finished in double figures with 11 points, while sophomore Eamonn Walsh dished out a team-best five assists and collected a team-high three steals to go along with eight points and four boards. Additionally, sophomore Patrick Bennie added a team-high two blocks with seven points and two steals.

Jordan Holmqvist led the Bulldogs with a game-high 14 points, going 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, while Devin Atkinson pulled down a game-leading 11 boards with nine points and two steals.

The Monarchs defense limited DeSales to 29.2 percent (7-24) from beyond the arc and forced 13 Bulldogs turnovers. King's shared the ball well as they recorded 15 assists on 22 field goals.

King's will look to pick up a conference sweep on Saturday afternoon as they take on FDU-Florham in Madison, NJ. Tip off is set for 3:00 p.m.

--MONARCHS--