DOYLESTOWN (PA)--- The Delaware Valley women's basketball team fell behind early and could never put together a big run, as the Aggies fell to the visiting King's College Monarchs, 69-41, in their home opener in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play.
Haley Keenan quickly gave the Aggies (3-7, 0-4) a 2-0 lead off an assist from Lauren Moretti. From there, King's (6-3, 2-0) rattled off a 13-0 run over a 4:53 span in which they shot 6-of-9 from the field and forced the Aggies into five turnovers. DelVal responded with a 7-0 run of their own, which was capped off by a Kyarra Williams layup, to cut the deficit to 13-9. King's would hold a 15-9 advantage after the first quarter.
Taylor Richardson opened the second quarter with a layup to bring the Aggies to within four, but that was the only basket of the quarter for Delval, as the Monarchs took control. The visitors won the second stanza 14-4, giving them a 29-13 lead at the break.
The Aggies rattled off a 6-0 spurt to start the third quarter with a Taylor Richardson free throw, a Kaela Stankiewicz three point play and a Haley Keenan layup, bringing the score to 29-19. King's quickly stopped that push and outscored Delval 23-10 for the remainder of the third quarter to lead 52-29 heading to the fourth.
King's won the fourth quarter 17-12 en route to a 69-41 victory. The Monarchs outscored the Aggies in each of the four quarters.
Emily Morano finished with a game-high 17 points for King's and added six rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists. Samantha Rajza poured in 15 points and added eight rebounds and four assists.
Taylor Richardson led the Aggies with an 11 point, 12 rebound double-double. Haley Keenan and Lauren Moretti each added eight points for DelVal.
The Aggies will be back in action for a non-conference matchup against St. Mary's College of Maryland on Wednesday, December 29th at 2 p.m.
