Box Score

WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes only had two players score in double figures and shot just 35 percent from the floor, ultimately falling to DeSales 89-57 on Wednesday night. The loss ends a six-game win streak for the Colonels.

The beginning of the game saw the two teams jockey for a lead, with the Colonels taking a quick 8-4 advantage after a Paul Huch (Tuckerton, NJ/Pinelands Regional) jumper. That four point lead would be the largest of the game for Wilkes, as three minutes later a jumper from DeSales tied the game at 10 and the Bulldogs never looked back.

Wilkes struggled from the field, missing multiple layups that led to transition offense from DeSales. The Bulldogs wanted to push the ball the entire first period, and did so successfully while holding Wilkes to only two offensive rebounds. Down the stretch in the first period DeSales went on a 14-2 run capped by a hoisted three-pointer with time running out. At the break the Bulldogs held a comfortable 42-24 lead.

Huch led Wilkes in the half with eight points on four-of-seven from the field and four rebounds. Meanwhile, DeSales had two players in double figures as well as 13 assists on 15 field goals due to their transition offense. The Colonels shot a dismal 32 percent from the field, while DeSales hit on 50 percent of its shots.

The second half began with a ray of hope for Wilkes, as Kendall Hinze (Lewisberry, PA/Red Land) made a basket and was fouled. The deficit worked itself around 20 points for the next 10 minutes though, as every time Wilkes hit a bucket the Bulldogs answered with a three-pointer or basket of their own.

The rest of the half belonged to the Bulldogs as well, who out-scored Wilkes in points in the paint, points off turnovers, second chance points, and bench points. DeSales hit a few three-pointers down the stretch as well, sealing the victory 89-57.

Wilkes was led by Huch with 13 points and six rebounds, while Hinze added 11 points and nine rebounds on the evening. Chris DeRojas (Dallas/Bishop O'Reilly) had nine points and three assists as well. DeSales hit twice as many three-pointers and had every player on the team score bar one.

With the loss Wilkes falls to 9-6, 3-3 on the season.

Wilkes will next take on Delaware Valley on Saturday, Jan. 22 in Doylestown, Pa. That game will begin at approximately 3:00 p.m.