GLENSIDE, PA (February 4, 2023) – With the regular-season winding down in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play, the King's College women's basketball team came up with a big MAC Freedom win on the road on Saturday, defeating the host Arcadia University, 65-56. With the win, the Monarchs now stand at 7-15 overall and 6-7 in the MAC Freedom standings, while the Knights drop to 14-8 overall and 7-6 in conference.

It was a battle to start in Glenside as the first 10 minutes featured two lead changes and two ties that saw King's (7-15, 6-7 MAC Freedom) ahead, 13-10, at the end of the first. The Monarchs dominated the second as they outscored Arcadia (14-8, 7-6 MAC Freedom), 21-13, and led by as much as 15, 34-19, with 3:18 to go in the half. King's would then go into the break leading, 34-23.

After the Knights scored the first basket of the half, King's would get a transition three from first year Kathy Shepherd and a layup from sophomore Lauren Casey to rebuild their double-digit lead, 39-26, over the Knights. Arcadia would keep this contest close as they saw the King's lead at just four, 48-44, heading into the final quarter of play.

The two teams duked it out to the finish line in the MAC Freedom match up. An Arcadia three with 8:43 remaining in regulation saw the Monarchs ahead by just two, 49-47, but King's had an answer as they went on a 10-2 rally that saw the road warriors leading 59-49 with 4:55 left to play. The hosts would rattle off the next seven points to close within three, 59-56, with 1:58 on the clock, but a basket from junior Kiersten Krouse, four free throws from King's, and a great team defensive effort secured the win, 65-56, on the road on Saturday afternoon.

Shepherd led a trio of Monarchs in double figures with 15 points, while Krouse posted 12 points and team-highs of seven boards, four assists, three steals, and a block. Casey rounded out the top scorers for King's with 10 points and seven rebounds. Additionally, junior Brenna Costello dished out three dimes, while first year Gianna Dickson tallied nine points off the bench.

Delaney Bell was the lead scorer in the loss for Arcadia as she poured in a game-high 25 points and completed the double-double effort with 10 rebounds and three steals. Mara Weaver dished out a team-high five assists while also collecting 10 boards for the Knights.

King's shot 37.3 percent (19-51) from the field and 35.7 percent (10-28) from beyond the arc, posting 12 assists on 19 baskets. The defense held Arcadia to 30.2 percent (19-63) shooting, including 26.5 percent (9-34) from three with 12 turnovers. The Monarchs edged out the Knights on the boards, 42-37, while also holding the advantage in second-chance points (5-4) and bench points (23-8).

The Monarchs will return to McGrane Gymnasium for a two-game home stand next week, beginning with a MAC Freedom match up against Lycoming on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m.

--MONARCHS--