Women's Basketball

King's College 73, Delaware Valley 67

WILKES-BARRE (PA) - The Delaware Valley College women's basketball team nearly rallied from a 16-point deficit, but fell short at nationally-ranked King's College, 73-67, in a Freedom Conference game.

The Lady Monarchs, who are ranked 15th in the latest D3hoops.com poll, improved their record to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference. The Aggies fell to 8-8, 1-6.

King's built a 36-20 advantage with 4:54 remaining in the first half, but Delaware Valley rallied to outscore the Lady Monarchs, 16-4, including the final 10 points of the half to trail by just four at the intermission. Jackie Hartzell and Shannon O'Neill scored six points apiece in the spurt for the Aggies.

King's opened the second half with a 12-6 run to build the lead back up 12, 50-38. The Lady Monarchs still lead by double figures with a 56-45 advantage with 12:34 to go, but Delaware Valley rallied once again and used a 14-4 spurt to pull to within one with 7:18 remaining. Rachel Joyce had seven of the 14 points including a 3-pointer to make it 60-59.

It was still a one possession game with 4:38 to go before King's went on a 7-1 run to put the game away.

Joyce finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Aggies. Bridget Golden added 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks while Hartell and Moira Donohue came off the bench to contribute 11 points apiece.

The inside tandem of Beth Jordan and Kristin Yeasted combined for 36 points and 19 rebounds for the Lady Moanrchs. Vienna Spitler reached double figures with 12 points. The King's defense forced 30 turnovers in the contest.