box score
After a close first half, Wilkes University out-scored PSU-Hazleton 46-17 in the second to roll to an 84-53 win to open the 2009-2010 season. Four players scored in double figures with
Paul Huch (Tuckerton, NJ/Pinelands Regional) leading the way with a career-high 18 points.
In the first half, the Colonels jumped out to an 11-5 lead and held it until the Nittany Lions tied the game at 21 with 11 minutes to go when Keiser Zamora drained a three-pointer. He would finish with 10 points on the night and was one of two players in double-figures for PSU. Reills Reichwein finished with a game-high 19 points, 16 of which came in the first half. Reichwein was red-hot in the first half, hitting four-of-four baskets from beyond the three-point line.
Despite exchanging buckets with PSU, the Colonels never lost the lead in the first half and took a 38-36 advantage into the locker room.
The second half was a different story as Wilkes used a 12-2 run to open the period and led 52-38 with 14:32 to go. The Colonels used a mix of outside shooting and inside penetration to break open the game and would lead by as many as 15 with 10:51 to go when
Mike Donatoni (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) converted a driving layup for two of his four points on the night.
Over the last nine minutes of the game, Wilkes would outscore PSU 25-4 and held the Nittany Lions scoreless during a three minute span.
Not only did Huch notch a career-high in points, but he also tallied career-highs in rebounds (9), three-pointers made (3), assists (6) and field goals made (7).
Anthony Gabriel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) put up a double-double for the Colonels with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while
Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly) and
Tom Kresge (Brodheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley) put in 13 and 11 points respectively.
The Colonels dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Nittany Lions 46-33 and hit 50.7 percent from the field, including 53 percent in the second half.
Wilkes will head to Selinsgrove this weekend to compete in the Susquehanna Tournament featuring Elizabethtown, Penn College and Susquehanna. They won't return to the Marts Center until Dec. 2 when the Colonels open Freedom Conference play against Misericordia.
