box score
The Wilkes University men's basketball team competed in its fourth Freedom Conference game of the season on Wednesday, hosting Eastern and ultimately falling by a score of 72-61.
The game began with Wilkes taking a 4-0 lead that was quickly wiped away by two Eagle three-pointers. The two teams exchanged baskets, as neither squad was able to establish a lead, and halfway through the first period Eastern held an 18-15 lead.
Eastern then put a string of baskets together, taking a 24-15 lead with over six minutes in the half. The Eagles would sustain that lead throughout the rest of the period, as multiple Wilkes turnovers never let its offense get in sync.
Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly) hit two free throws before the break, making the score Eastern 29, Wilkes 21.
Wilkes was led by
Tom Kresge (Brodheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley) in the half with seven points and six rebounds. The Colonels shot 36 percent from the floor, while the Eagles hit on 50 percent of their shots and forced 11 turnovers.
The Colonels slowly chipped away at the eight point deficit to begin the second half, and three and a half minutes into the period
Anthony Gabriel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) brought Wilkes to within five with a basket and free throw. Soon after, consecutive three point baskets by Eagles guard Collin Whipple put Eastern up by nine with 15 minutes left.
A plethora of fouls by both teams led to many free throws, and halfway through the period Wilkes found itself down by eight, 47-39. The Colonels were unable to narrow that lead in the next five minutes despite multiple trips to the free throw line, and with five minutes left Wilkes found itself down by 12.
Wilkes started to foul with over two minutes left, but the Eagles hit their free throws to seal the victory, 72-61.
Wilkes was led by Kresge who ended up with 24 points and 13 rebounds on six of 12 shooting. Gabriel added 19 points and nine rebounds in a game that had 48 fouls and 69 free throws.
The Colonels will look to bounce back when they meet up with cross town rival King's College on Saturday, Jan. 16. That game will being at 3:00 p.m. at King's College.
