Box Score

WILKES-BARRE – Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly) poured in 26 points and the Colonels shot over 54 percent as Wilkes cruised to an 85-55 victory against Baptist Bible at the Marts Center on Tuesday night. With the win Wilkes snapped a three-game skid to go to 3-4 on the season.

The game was relatively close through the opening minutes, as a few turnovers by Wilkes coupled with several layups by the Defenders gave Baptist Bible an early lead. At the 15 minute mark DeRojas decided to get involved, hitting the first of his three three-pointers and giving Wilkes a five point lead. Baptist Bible closed the deficit to two points at the 12 minute mark, but that's as close as it would get the rest of the game.

To run out the half DeRojas scored 14 points in 10 minutes, hitting two more three-pointers and making all of his free throws. Baskets by Kendall Hinze (Lewisberry, PA/Red Land), Aaron Dombrosky (Shenandoah/Shenandoah), and Matt Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) contributed to the Wilkes onslaught, and at the break the Colonels held a comfortable 43-26 lead.

DeRojas had 17 points in the half, while Mullins and Hinze each added seven points apiece. Wilkes shot an astounding 61.5 percent from the floor, while connecting on all seven of its foul shots.

In the second half the Colonels picked up right where they left off, as back-to-back layups by Paul Huch (Tuckerton, NJ/Pinelands Regional) pushed the Wilkes lead to 24 points with 15 minutes left to play. The Colonels were able to force multiple Defender turnover through active hands and a solid zone defense that Baptist Bible couldn't consistently score upon. With 10 minutes left to play, an and-one bucket by Hinze gave Wilkes a 63-39 advantage.

The rest of the way out was a team effort, as Steve Blish (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township), Matt Boyle (Shavertown, PA/Lake Lehman), and Brendan Sheldon (Milford, PA/Delaware Valley) all connected on field goals for the Colonels. As the game came to an end the Colonels were still able to keep the Defenders at bay, ultimately winning 85-55 in their home opener.

DeRojas finished with 26 points and three assists to lead Wilkes, while Hinze added 13 points and seven rebounds and Huch chipped in 11 points and three steals. The Colonels shot 54.4 percent from the field on the evening, and held the Defenders to just 34 percent and 22 turnovers. Baptist Bible was also 0-14 from the three-point line.

The Colonels will now host Lycoming College on Saturday, Dec. 11. That game will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Wilkes University Marts Center.