Steve Finkernagel

Pat Furst scored a career-high 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in Wilkes 72-70 win over Misericordia

WILKES MEN’S BASKETBALL WINS 72-70 OT THRILLER AGAINST MISERICORDIA TO OPEN FREEDOM PLAY

12/4/2013 10:49:00 PM

Box Score

WILKES MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS 72-70 OT THRILLER AGAINST MISERICORDIA TO OPEN FREEDOM PLAY

WILKES-BARRE – Pat Furst (Jamison, PA/Central Bucks West) poured in game-high 24 points as Wilkes University outlasted local rival Misericordia University 72-70 in overtime Wednesday night in both teams' Freedom Conference opener at the Marts Center.

Wilkes improves to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in league play while Misericordia slips to 3-3 on the year and 0-1 in conference contests.

Wilkes led throughout the first half and halfway through the second frame as Nic Wilkins (Dushore, PA/Sullivan County) scored inside to put the Colonels up 52-44 with 10:49 left in regulation. From there, Misericordia caught fire from the outside using two straight Matt Greene treys and two free throws from Cael Evans to tie the game at 52.

The Cougars took their first lead of the contest on the ensuing possession as Joe Busacca scored on a driving layup with 6:35 on the second half clock. The Misericordia lead grew to as many as six over the next four minutes before Furst hit a jumper and Wilkins added two more inside scores to tie the game at 62. Following a Misericordia turnover, Wilkins' baseline jumper gave the Colonels a two-point edge, 64-62, with :22 remaining.

From there, Busacca scored on another drive to the hoop tying the game at 64 with :13 on the clock. Misericordia fouled on the following Wilkes possession putting Alec Wizar (Lebanon, PA/Annville Cleona) to the line for a one-and-one. Wizar missed the front end of the attempt and the Cougars grabbed the rebound calling a timeout to setup a final play with :5 left. Andrew Moran picked up a loose ball on a Patrick Widdoss layup and was fouled with 0.3 on the clock giving Misericordia a chance to win the game at the free throw line. Moran missed both attempts and Wilkes secured the rebound sending the game into overtime.

Wilkes built a five point lead in the extra frame thanks to a deep three-pointer from Jim Brackett (Narvon, PA/Garden Spot) and two scores from Furst. A trey from Busacca cut the deficit to one later in the period, but one of two free throws from Furst put Wilkes ahead 72-70 with ten seconds left. After another Misericordia timeout, Busacca drove the lane and missed on a layup but the rebound was claimed by Erik Kerns who was fouled with :1 left. Wilkes used its last timeout to ice the shooter and it proved to work as Kerns missed the first and intentionally missed the second free throw looking for a chance to tip in for the tie. Wilkes was able to bat the ball away clinching the Freedom Conference opening win in the process.

Furst was brilliant all night carrying the offense at time for Wilkes. He finished 8-for-15 from the field and 6-for-7 from the charity stripe. Wilkins added 15 points and four rebounds off the Colonel bench, while Brackett finished a solid all-around outing with 10 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.

Busacca led four Cougars in double figures finishing with a team-high 16 points. Steve Ware and Evans added 13 points each inside, while Greene contributed 12 points and four assists including four three-pointers.

Wilkes continues its Freedom Conference slate Saturday when the Colonels travel to Center Valley, Pa. to face DeSales University at 3:00 p.m.

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