SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Bridgewater State University men's basketball team dropped a 75-69 decision to King's College in the opening game of the Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Susquehanna University on Friday night.

King's College saw four players score double figures, including a 21-point, nine-rebound performance from senior forward Kevin Conroy.  The victory marks the first of the 2010-2011 campaign for the Monarchs, while Bridgewater slips to 1-1.

The game was a see-saw battle in the early going with five lead changes through the first 15 minutes of the half. King's opened a six point lead at 25-19 following a Dan Maguschak three-pointer and an old fashioned three-point play by Conroy. Two free throws from Bridgewater's Anthony Fortes cut the deficit to one at 33-32 with just under a minute to play in the first half. From there, Maguschak connected on a jumper and a Kyle Stackhouse steal and two charity tosses gave King's a three point advantage heading to the break, 35-32.

The Monarchs would continue to dominate the paint as Conroy scored inside on King's opening possession of the second frame. Subsequent jumpers from Maguschak and Stackhouse kept King's in front, 41-38, with just over 16 minutes to play. The Bears would continue to battle though as Corey Connor hit a deep trey and Judah Jackson connected from the wing to tie the game for the tenth time at 47-47 at the 14:43 mark.

The teams would trade baskets through the next nine minutes before a Conroy layup and Monarch rookie Kyle Hammonds jumper put King's up 64-60 with 4:36 left to play. Another jumper from Hammonds followed by a pair of free throws extended the Monarchs lead to six at 70-64 with just over a minute remaining. Stackhouse would seal the win cashing in on two from the charity stripe and a driving layup as the Monarchs broke the late pressure from Bridgewater.

Conroy was solid in the paint for King's, finishing 7-for-18 from the floor and 7-of-10 from the line. The Monarchs held a 39-34 advantage on the boards, scoring 14 second chance points in the win. Maguschak posted 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting and four rebounds. Stackhouse played an excellent floor game finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Hammonds recorded 14 points and four assists in his first collegiate game at King's.

Jackson led Bridgewater with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Nicholas Motta added 12 points and six rebounds.  Connor finished with 14 points and four assists as he knocked down 4 of 7 three-point field goal attempts.  Fortes added 12 points and three boards off the bench.

King's will play in the championship game of the tournament tomorrow at 3:00 PM against Susquehanna.  Bridgewater will take on Penn College in the consolation game at 1.