FEBRUARY 17, 2007
MONARCH MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS FDU 91-66 TO EARN TOP SEED, FACES
REMATCH WITH FDU IN FREEDOM CONFERENCE OPENER
WILKES-BARRE -- The King's College men's basketball team broke open a
close first-half game by outscoring visiting FDU-Florham 50-30 in the
second half as the Monarchs posted a 91-66 victory Saturday in Scandlon
Gymnasium.
With the win, King's secured the top-seed for next week's Freedom
Conference Tournament as the Monarchs ended the regular-season with a
17-8 overall record and a 11-3 league mark. FDU, which will be the
fourth seed in the conference playoffs, also stands at 17-8 with a 9-5
league record.
King's and FDU will again square off Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in Scandlon
Gym in the semi-finals of the Freedom Conference Tournament.
The teams played evenly throughout the first half, but the Monarchs
managed a 41-36 lead at the break when Kofi Dwebeng drained a
three-pointer with just 0:01 on the clock.
King's would step up the pace in the second half as the Monarchs shot
50.0 (18-36) percent from the floor while FDU struggled with its
shooting as the Devils made just 31.1 (9-28) of their shots over the
game's final 20 minutes of play.
The Monarchs, who placed five players in double-figures scoring, were
led by John Soboleski who was outstanding with 22 points and 10 rebounds
while making 10-of-12 from the field. Jamie Cousart contributed 15
points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwebeng and Vince Scalzo
added 15 points each. Ryan Nenstiel netted 10 points while Bob Nenstiel
chipped in with nine.
FDU was led by Pierre Schmitt had 11 points while Frank Emslie netted
nine points with nine rebounds and seven assists.
King's and FDU will meet as part of a Freedom Conference doubleheader on
Wednesday. The King's women will host third-seeded DeSales in the
opening playoff game at 6:00 p.m.
Should the Monarch men win, they would host the Freedom Conference title
game Saturday at a time to be announced.
Second-seeded Scranton will host third-seeded
DeSales at 8:00 p.m. in the other men's semi-final game.
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