The Bulldogs (12-1, 3-0 Freedom) also won its 14th straight game at home as they shot 56.5 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from outside the arc. The Monarchs lose for the first time in six games and fall to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in Freedom Conference play. King’s shot 50.0 percent for the game but just 36.4 percent in the first half.
Both teams were sloppy in the first half as DeSales held a five-point edge, 33-28, despite 12 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. DSU was much crisper in the second half as they started the second period with a Jim Zinn three-pointer and a Michael Venafra lay-up on a beautiful pass from junior David Bright. The quick 5-0 run pushed the lead up to 10 points at 38-28.
The Monarchs battled back and after DeSales continued to lead by 11 points at the 8:29 mark, KC used a 6-0 spurt to get within five points at 60-55 with 5:49 left to play. Two foul shots by Bright, a lay-up by Zinn, and another lay-up by junior answered the 6-0 spurt by the Monarchs and put the game away as the Bulldogs led, 66-55, with 4:12 remaining.
DeSales balanced attack was led by Venafra who scored a game-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Zinn added 14 tallies also on 5-of-7 shooting, Bright totaled 13 markers and grabbed seven rebounds, and Spadt added 10 points and a game-high five assists.
King’s also saw four players reach double digits as Britt Moore tallied 14 points. Landon Gabriel scored 12 tallies and Jamar Stokes and Dave Marks each added 10 points in the loss.