WILLIAMSPORT, PA (January 11, 2023) – After trailing 17-9 at the end of the first period, the King's College women's basketball team outscored the host Lycoming College, 40-29, in the final three quarters to defeat the Warriors, 49-46, in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) match up. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 3-12 overall and 2-5 in conference play, while the Warriors drop to 5-10 and 1-5 in the MAC Freedom standings.
King's (3-12, 2-5 MAC Freedom) struggled to find a rhythm in the early minutes of the contest but trailing 13-0 with 3:57 to go in the opening stanza, King's outscored Lycoming (5-10, 1-5 MAC Freedom) 9-4 down the stretch to trail by eight, 17-9. After trading baskets to start the second, King's rattled off five unanswered points to close within four, 22-17, with 4:32 to go in the half. The Warriors rebuilt their advantage, but the Monarchs chipped away as they faced a four-point deficit, 25-21, at the halftime break.
The King's defense delivered in the third quarter, holding Lycoming to just seven points to head into the final stanza with a two-point lead, 34-32. The Monarchs opened the fourth with five straight points on consecutive possessions before the Warriors got on the board to pull within five, 39-34, with 6:36 to go in regulation. First year Mackenzie Bennett would then record the next four points for King's to help push their advantage to eight, 43-35, with 4:33 left on the game clock, but Lycoming would not go away as they connected for a transition going off for an 8-2 rally.
With time winding down and King's ahead, 45-43, the Warriors fouled junior Kiersten Krouse with 16 ticks left on the game clock, and the senior drained both from the charity stripe. Out of the timeout, Lycoming hit a three to pull within one, 47-46, but this time it was senior Cailin Wilson who would hit both of her free throw attempts. The final effort by Lycoming was off the mark as King's earned the 49-46 win over Lycoming on the road on Wednesday night in MAC Freedom play.
Sophomore Lauren Casey led the Monarchs scoring efforts and had a balanced game of nine points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and an assist. Both junior Brenna Costello and first year Kathy Shepherd added seven points a piece, with Costello dishing out a team-high three assists and Shepherd collecting three boards. Additionally, Krouse added four points, three assists, and two caroms, and junior Caileigh Costello collected a team-best three steals in the winning effort.
Meghan Dufner led all scorers with 15 points, coming up just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals for Lycoming. Ashley Yoh collected a game-best 10 boards for the Warriors.
The Monarchs were stellar from beyond the arc, connecting for 53.8 percent (7-13) on their three-point attempts. King's also dished out 11 assists on their 14 baskets, and the defensive effort forced 24 turnovers and a 27.0 percent (17-63) shooting night from the Warriors. The King's bench outscored the Warriors', 17-11, and the Monarchs held the edge in fast break points, 10-9.
King's will return home on Saturday afternoon as they host Albright College in their final non-conference contest of the season. Tip off is set for 1:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.
--MONARCHS--