The Misericordia University women's basketball team dropped its MAC Freedom opener at King's, 79-61, Wednesday night.

Elizabeth Fasti led the Cougars with 10 points and Melina Santacroce and Skylar Dowling added nine points each.

King's used a 10-2 run over the final 3:30 of the second quarter to take a 34-22 halftime lead and maintained a double digit lead throughout the second half.

Santacroce scored five of MU's first seven points, including a three-point play, to give the Cougars their first lead, 7-6, with 5:35 left in the first quarter.

Meaghan McCaffrey's short jumper put MU up, 9-6, on the next possession.

Down 10-9, Gianna Delfino put the Cougars back in front with a jumper.

After four straight points by the Monarchs, Jordan Postiglione sank a pair of free throws to get MU within 14-13 with 1:14 to play in the opening period.

King's the quarter with a layup to take a 16-13 lead.

Down 20-13 early in the second period, Alyssa Bondi made a pair of free throws.

Following two buckets by King's, Fasti drained a pair of jumpers to cut the deficit to 24-20 with 4:34 left in the first half.

Misericordia will host Delaware Valley, Saturday at 1:00.