The win improves Wilkes to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference. King’s, the defending Freedom Conference champions, falls to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Monarchs held their biggest lead of the game, 64-55, following two free throws by Vince Scalzo with 1:53 left in regulation. But, the Colonels would close with an 11-2 run to force the extra session.
Shovlin began the comeback with a traditional three-point play at 1:45 to cut the deficit to 64-58. Following a King’s turnover Dan Adams scored on an offensive rebound to make it 64-60 with 1:12 showing on the clock.
Vince Sobocinski would up the Monarchs lead to 66-60 with 43 seconds left with two charity tosses. But, Shovlin would answer with a three-point just eight seconds later to make it 66-63. King’s would commit another turnover and Shovlin would can a long three-pointer with 17 ticks left to tie the game at 66-66. The Monarchs had one final shot to win in regulation, but Jared Black’s three-pointer was off the mark as time expired.
Kofi Dwebeng gave King’s a 68-66 lead with two free throws at 4:03 of overtime. Shovlin would hit another long-range bomb to put Wilkes on top 69-68. Three Scalzo free throws, sandwiched around a pair of charity tosses by the Colonels Jeremy Kable, would push the score to 71-71 with 1:43 left.
Evan Walters scored inside for Wilkes with 1:26 left to give his team a 73-71 lead. But, once again, Scalzo would step to the free throw line and hit both attempts to knot the game at 73-73 with 1:04 remaining.
Constantine would deliver what proved to be the key blow when he drilled a three-pointer from the corner with 40 seconds left to place Wilkes on top 76-73. Jim Welsh was unable to hit a three-point attempt for King’s with eight seconds left and Shovlin was fouled with six ticks on the clock. The sophomore hit the second of the two free throws to give Wilkes a 77-73 lead. Black would hit a three as the clock ran out to cut into the final deficit.
King’s held a 30-29 lead at halftime. The game would remain close throughout most of the second half until the Monarchs embarked on a 16-6 spurt. The run helped King’s overcome a 47-46 deficit with 8:04 left.
John Soboleski put the Monarchs on top with two free throws that made it 48-47. A traditional three-point play by Scalzo would extend the lead to 51-47. After Walters scored inside to make it 51-49, Dwebeng hit one charity toss and Scalzo cashed in a pair of free throws to give King’s a 54-49 advantage with 5:21 left.
Walters would make to free throws for Wilkes to pull his team within 54-51 at the 5:03 mark. King’s would counter with five straight tallies, two each by Scalzo and Sobocinski and one by Thomas Moore, to take a 59-51 lead with 3:32 remaining. After two more Walters free throws, Dwebeng netted a three-pointer to make it 62-53 with 2:37 left. Shovlin would hit a two-pointer for Wilkes and Scalzo would hit two free throws to make it 64-55 and set the stage for the Colonels comeback.
Walters enjoyed an outstanding night for Wilkes. The senior center finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Shovlin contributed 22 points and handed out six assists. Constantine chipped in with 11 points.
Scalzo, who hit 14-of-17 free throw attempts, had 20 points and 10 rebounds to pace King’s. Dwebeng came off the bench to add 12 points and eight boards, while Sobocinski finished the night with 11 tallies.