Steve Finkernagel

WILKES MEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS 90-88 SETBACK AT UNBEATEN LYCOMING

12/10/2011 4:46:00 PM

Box Score

WILKES MEN'S BASKETBALL SUFFERS 90-88 SETBACK AT UNBEATEN LYCOMING

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Host Lycoming College saw five players reach double figures to remain unbeaten and escape with a 90-88 non-league victory over Wilkes University Saturday afternoon at Lamade Gymnasium.

With the loss the Colonels see their five-game win streak come to an end standing 6-2 heading into the Christmas break. Lycoming remains perfect at 8-0.

Down three with just under five minutes to play, freshman Jourdon Wilson (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) drove to the hoop for two and a foul sinking the free throw tying the game for the fifth time at 75-75. Following a missed Lycoming three-pointer, Matt Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) found a soft spot in the Warrior defense hitting a midrange jumper to give Wilkes a 77-75 advantage. After Lycoming tied the game its next possession, Mullins was true from behind the arc breaking the tie and putting Wilkes up 80-77 with 3:42 to go.

Lycoming would answered yet again using an old-fashioned three-point play to tie the game for the seventh time, 80-80 with 2:49 left in the contest. Another three-point play gave the Warriors an 83-80 advantage heading into the final two minutes of play.

The teams traded baskets over the next three possessions before Kendall Hinze (Lewisberry, PA/Red Land) cashed in twice form the charity stripe to bring Wilkes to within one, 89-88, with eight seconds left. Wilkes was forced to foul, and Lycoming's Jerald Williams missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Kevin Anthony was there for the Warriors to collect the rebound and the Colonels were forced to foul yet again. Anthony made one of two free throws and a desperation three-point attempt from Paul Huch (Tuckerton, NJ/Pinelands Regional) was off the mark as Lycoming escaped with a hard-fought non-conference win.

Wilkes jumped out to an early 10-3 lead with 17:06 on the first half clock when Hinze and Wilson scored back-to-back buckets. The lead grew to as many as 11 points in the first half after Brendan Sheldon (Milford, PA/Delaware Valley) scored in the paint. Lycoming used an 11-4 run late in the half to cut the Wilkes lead to three, 46-43, heading into the break. Seven straight Warrior points to start the second frame gave the Warriors a lead setting up the final sequences of play.

Hinze and Wilson combined for 42 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists to lead the Colonel charge offensively. Hinze finished with a season-high 21 points and eight boards shooting 8-for-11 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the line. Wilson was solid with 21 points and four assists. Mullins continued his double figures streak finishing with 19 points, three rebounds, and a season-high eight helpers. As a team, Wilkes shot 54.7 percent (35-64) from the field, their third straight game shooting 50.0 percent or better. The Colonels also outrebounded Lycoming 43-41 throughout.

Mike Bradley led five Warriors in double figures finishing with a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds. Anthony followed with 22 points and 11 boards, while Anthony Martin and Patrick Dougher each contributed 12 points. Williams added 10 points and a game-high assists.

Wilkes will remain idle until January 2nd when the Colonels travel to Marywood University for the first annul Cross County Challenge. The Colonels will face host Marywood University Monday at 6:00 p.m. then conclude the round robin tournament with a matchup against former long-time Freedom foe the University of Scranton Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

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