Wilkes University Athletics

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

Steve Finkernagel

Wilkes finished 1-1 in the Monarch Classic losing to Susquehanna 66-53 Sunday

WILKES MEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS 66-53 DECISION AGAINST SUSQUEHANNA AT MONARCH CLASSIC

12/15/2013 2:46:00 PM

Box Score

WILKES MEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS 66-53 DECISION AGAINST SUSQUEHANNA AT MONARCH CLASSIC

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Brandon Hedley poured in a game-high 22 points to lead Susquehanna University to a 66-53 victory over Wilkes University Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Monarch Classic at Scandlon Gymnasium.

Wilkes slips to 5-4 overall following the loss while Susquehanna improves to 5-3 on the year with the win. Wilkes concludes the Monarch Classic with a 1-1 mark while Susquehanna finished 2-0 over the two-day event.

Susquehanna led throughout the first thirteen minutes of play before a three-pointer from Steve Stravinski (Pittston, PA/Pittston) and offensive rebound put-back by Nic Wilkins (Dushore, PA/Sullivan County) gave Wilkes its first lead of the game 15-14 with 5:58 left in the first half.

The teams traded baskets over the final five minutes of play with Susquehanna taking a 26-21 lead following two Wilkins free throws and a Hedley jumper to end the half.

A 16-0 run to start the second half pushed the Susquehanna lead to 42-21 with 14:00 on the clock. Ten points from Hedley, including two treys, and six Crusader free throws opened the double digit lead.

A four-point play from Stravinski stopped the long Crusader run as Wilkes trailed 42-25 with just over twelve minutes remaining.

Wilkes cut the lead to eleven, 48-37, midway through the frame as Tyler Jackson (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill) scored in transition and hit Brendon Sheldon for a layup following another Colonel defensive stop. Jimmy Bracket made it single digits when he drove baseline and hit a jumper cutting the lead to 51-43 with six minutes left.

Eight points would be the closest the Colonels would come down the stretch as Susquehanna hit five free throws over the final 1:38 to seal the victory.

Stravinski, named to the All-Tournament team, led the Wilkes offense with 16 points and nine rebounds. Wilkins finished with 10 points and six boards. Wilkes played without Pat Furst (Jamison, PA/Central Bucks West) who suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's win against Berkeley.

Hedley, named the classic MVP, finished 8-for-20 from the field on way to his game-high 22 points for Susquehanna. Jake Eskin followed with 13 points while Steven Weidlich added 11 tallies.

Wilkes remains idle through the holiday break returning to action Friday, January 3 competing in the third annual Cross County Challenge at the University of Scranton. The Colonels open with Marywood University at 5:00 p.m. before facing host Scranton on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version