PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Despite a career-high 18 points from freshman Connor Evans (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse), Wilkes University trailed by 14 points at the half and never managed to cut the deficit to lower than six in the second frame as the Colonels dropped an 84-71 decision to RPI in the first round of the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa Invitational hosted by St. John Fisher College at the Manning and Napier Gymnasium Tuesday night.
 
With the loss Wilkes slips to 3-7 overall on the season while RPI improves to 6-2 overall and earns a trip to the championship game tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
 
RPI came out of the gates on fire from the floor finishing the first half shooting 58.1 percent (18-31) including six three-pointers in the frame to take a 47-33 advantage to the break.
 
Midway through the second half Wilkes began to mount its comeback run cutting the lead to its lowest of the game at 68-62. Steve Stravinski (Pittston, PA/Pittston) connect from long range followed by an Alec Wizar (Lebanon, PA/Annville Cleona) layup in a thirty second span to cap the 5-0 run. RPI answered as it did most of the game scoring the next four points to push the lead back to double figures and kept the Colonels at bay over the final eight minutes of the game to advance to the title game Wednesday.
 
Evans led all Wilkes scorers with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Stravinski followed with 14 points and six rebounds while Wizar added 13 tallies and seven boards. The trio also combined for 10 of Wilkes' 11 three-pointers in the contest with Evans and Stravinski canning four treys each.
 
Tom Horvat led four players in double figures for RPI scoring a game-high 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting from the field.
 
Wilkes will play tomorrow (Wednesday) in the consolation game against the loser of host St. John Fisher and Cazenovia at 1:00 p.m. to conclude the tournament.