WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 4, 2023) -- It was a game to celebrate as the King's College women's basketball team rang in the New Year with their first Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) win and a new single-game record. The Monarchs connected for a program-record 17 three pointers in their 87-27 win over FDU-Florham on Wednesday night in McGrane Gymnasium. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 2-11 and 1-4 in the MAC Freedom standings, while the Devils fall to 0-8 and 0-5 in the conference.
 
The hot-shooting Monarchs surpassed the previous mark of 16 made threes set against Norwich on January 5, 2008 in the contest.
 
After the teams traded early baskets, it was all King's (2-11, 1-4 MAC Freedom) the rest of the way as their stifling defensive efforts coupled with an impressive shooting performance saw the Monarchs leading, 37-8, at the end of the first quarter. There was no turning back for the hosts as they cruised to the 87-27 win over FDU-Florham (0-8, 0-5 MAC Freedom) in the conference bout in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
 
First year Kathy Shepherd led the way for the hosts with 11 points while adding two assists. Four different Monarchs tallied nine points, while sophomore Lauren Casey pulled down a team-high seven boards with three assists and a block. Additionally, first year Mackenzie Bennett came off the bench to collect seven boards with two assists and a steal, while both first year Juleesah Hines and junior Caileigh Costello dished out a team-high four assists each.
 
FDU-Florham was paced by a game-high 22 points from Abigail Rodriguez as she added six boards and four steals.
 
King's shot an impressive 45.3 percent (34-75) from the floor and 45.9 percent (17-37) from beyond the arc while also dishing out 29 assists on their 34 baskets. The Monarchs defense limited FDU-Florham to just 19.6 percent (9-46) for the game and forced 16 Devils turnovers. King's also edged out their opponents in the rebounding margin, out-rebounding FDU-Florham 56-25. Additionally, the Monarchs won practically every category including points off turnovers (23-6), bench points (56-0), points in the paint (28-12), and second chance points (18-2).
 
The Monarchs will set their sights on another nationally ranked match up as they take on Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ on Saturday. The MAC Freedom match up is set for a 3:00 p.m. tip off.