Courtesy of King’s College
DOYLESTOWN, PA (January 21, 2023) – Coming off a big Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) win on Wednesday night over cross-town rival Wilkes University, the King’s College women’s basketball team overcame a 31-24 halftime deficit to defeat the host Delaware Valley University, 55-48, in Doylestown, Pa. on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs win their second straight to improve to 5-13 overall and 4-5 in MAC Freedom play, while the Aggies fall to 9-9 with a 5-4 MAC Freedom mark.

Much like their first match up, this MAC Freedom contest was a battle from the start. With the score tied at five a piece with 6:45 left in the first quarter, Delaware Valley (9-9, 5-4 MAC Freedom) used a 11-2 run to end the quarter leading King’s (5-13, 4-5 MAC Freedom), 16-7, after the first 10 minutes of action. The Aggies led by as much as 12, 27-15, with 4:51 remaining in the half, but back-to-back three pointers from first year Gianna Dickson and senior Cailin Wilson pulled the Monarchs within six, 27-21, with 3:20 to go. Delaware Valley edged out King’s, 4-3, down the stretch as the Monarchs trailed, 31-24, at the break.

The Monarchs stormed out of the break to score the first six points of the half and close within one, 31-30, before the Aggies got on the board. King’s maintained their momentum to tie the game off a three from first year Mackenzie Bennett and take the lead, 39-37, thanks to a layup from sophomore Lauren Casey heading into the fourth quarter.

The Aggies struck first in the final period to knot up the game at 39, but the Monarchs would open the scoring with a 10-0 run across the next 2:40 of action to build the 49-39 lead. Delaware Valley would close within five, but the Monarchs defensive efforts would hold off any comeback from the hosts as King’s secured the 55-48 win on the road in MAC Freedom play on Saturday afternoon.

Wilson led King’s off the bench with 10 points, adding five rebounds and two steals, while junior Brenna Costello had a balanced effort of seven points, five rebounds, and a team-high four assists with a steal. Dickson, junior Caileigh Costello, and first year Kathy Shepherd all added seven points as well in the balanced offensive effort, while Casey collected five boards with a block.

The Aggies were led by three in double figures, including Maisie Neuber with 12 points and team-highs of nine boards and three assists, while Haley Keenan added 12 points with five steals.

King’s shared the ball well as they dished out 10 helpers on their 20 field goals, while their defense limited the Aggies to 27.1 percent shooting (16-59) from the field and 22.2 percent (4-18) from three. The Monarchs edged out Delaware Valley on the boards, 43-39, and forced 20 Aggies turnovers. Inside the stat sheet, King’s held the advantage in points off turnovers (25-14) and bench points (27-6).

The Monarchs will return home to McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night to host nationally ranked DeSales University in the MAC Freedom doubleheader. Tip off for the women’s contest is set for 8:00 p.m.