Box Score
The Colonels shot 36 percent from the floor and hit just one three-pointer on Saturday, while King's hit 11 threes in its 77-56 defeat of Wilkes.
The Colonels came into the contest with a 13-11 (4-9) record, while the Monarchs boasted an 11-13 (7-6) mark for the season.
After acknowledging seniors
Tom Kresge (Brodheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley),
Chris Gulla (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional) and
Anthony Gabriel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity), the rivals were set to tip-off for the final time in the 2009-10 season.
The game began with Wilkes establishing a quick 10-2 lead behind buckets by Gabriel and Kresge and free throws by
Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly). King's answered quickly, though, in the form of three three-pointers, making the score 11-10 seven minutes into the contest.
King's kept the pressure on the Colonels, mounting a 15-2 run to take a 17-12 lead, and contesting every Wilkes shot. The Monarchs then hit two consecutive three-pointers, pushing their lead to nine points and forcing a Colonel timeout. The teams exchanged baskets for the next few minutes, but once again a big three by King's pushed its lead to a dozen with five minutes left in the period.
Wilkes had chances to narrow down the deficit at the free throw line, but couldn't consistently connect, while King's stuck with the perimeter game, hitting another three-pointer and making its free throws. With two minutes left in the half the Monarchs had pushed their lead to 16 points, and Wilkes was struggling from the floor. King's added two more baskets before the break, making the score 43-23 at halftime.
The Colonels were led by Kresge in the half, as the senior had 10 points and two assists. Gabriel added eight points of his own, while only four players scored for Wilkes. The Colonels shot just 33 percent in the period, and didn't connect on a three-pointer. King's hit six deep shots, and shot 56 percent from the field. Every player that saw the floor for the Monarchs scored.
In the second half Wilkes put pressure on the Monarchs on offense, drawing many fouls and taking many trips to the free throw line. King's was able to keep the Colonels in check though, maintaining a 20 point lead in the early parts of the period.
The Colonels occasionally chipped at the deficit, but King's always had an answer, either in the form of a three-pointer or layup. At the 10 minute mark, King's held a comfortable 59-43 lead, and soon after hit another three, pushing its lead to 19 points. A Gulla three-pointer brought Wilkes to within 15 in the seventh minute, but once again King's put together a string of baskets, and with less than five minutes left was leading by 19.
Down the stretch Wilkes couldn't get in sync on offense, and King's kept hitting its shots, cruising to a 77-56 victory.
Wilkes was led by Kresge with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in his final game in a Colonel uniform. Gabriel added 12 points and four rebounds of his own, while Gulla chipped in eight points.
King's had four players in double-figures, and was 11-of-19 from beyond the arc.
With the loss Wilkes ends its season with a 13-12 (4-10) record.
