Box Score

The Wilkes University men's basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 70-62 win over Delaware Valley.  Three players scored in double-figures with Anthony Gabriel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) putting in a career-high 22 points, while Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly) put in 16, surpassing the 1000-point mark for his career. 

The contest began with each team attempting to establish its interior game, as the first nine baskets of the game were lay-ups by each team's big men, and Wilkes taking an early 16-6. Gabriel started the game  with an early eight points as well as pulling down multiple rebounds for the Colonels.

As the half progressed, Wilkes continued to work the ball inside, using a steady dose of Gabriel, Kendall Hinze (Lewisberry, PA/Red Land) and Tom Kresge (Brodheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley) to wear down the Aggies defensively. Meanwhile, the Colonels defense held steady, holding Delaware Valley to a low shooting percentage and not allowing many offensive rebounds.

As the half came to an end Gabriel hit on another lay-up and Kresge hit a three to give the Colonels a 31-20 point advantage at the break.

Wilkes was led by Gabriel who had 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor and six rebounds in the half. Kresge added nine points while Hinze had four off the bench. The Colonels held Delaware Valley to just 24 percent shooting, as they hit only one of 11 three-pointers in the period.

The second half began with the teams exchanging buckets, as neither squad was able to gain momentum. Five minutes into the period Delaware Valley had narrowed the deficit to five points behind solid interior play by center Darryl White as Wilkes struggled to hit from the floor.

Out of a timeout, Wilkes came out firing, extending the lead back to 11 on two Chris Gulla (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional) free throws with 10:45 left to play. With 10:18 left DeRojas hit a deep three, giving him 1001 points for his career, while giving the Colonels a 12-point lead.

Wilkes kept that lead till four minutes left, when two three-pointers and a lay-up by the Aggies brought them to within seven. With 1:56 left DeRojas connected on two free throws, giving Wilkes a 62-54 lead. The Colonels would then hit their free throws down the stretch, sealing the 70-62 victory.

Wilkes was led by Anthony Gabriel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Kresge and DeRojas each added 16 a piece. The Colonels shot 42 percent from the floor, while the Aggies shot just under 34 percent from the field. Wilkes also out-rebounded Delaware Valley 49-43

The Colonels will look to improve upon their record when they host Lebanon Valley on Monday, Jan 25. That game will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Martz Center.