CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Wilkes University men's basketball team matched top-ranked DeSales University basket-for-basket but ultimately fell in a 73-72 loss in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action on Wednesday evening.

The Colonels fell to 6-10 overall and 1-4 in MAC Freedom play.

Neither team was able to pull ahead in the first half, with both team entering the half tied 39-39.

The Bulldogs were able to push their lead to seven late in the second half when they led 69-62 with 3:01 remaining. As Wilkes has all year, it battled back to cut DeSales' lead to one at 69-68 with 1:36 on the clock following a three-pointer by Steve Stravinski (Pittston, PA/Pittston). Marcus Robinson (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) hit four free throws in the final 16 seconds to keep the Colonels within one point and give Wilkes the chance to hit the winning shot with one second left. The Bulldogs defense managed to lose Robinson on the ensuing inbound, and he was found wide open 17 feet from the hoop. Robinson caught the pass and quickly put up the shot, but was unable to convert the attempt.

The Colonels were led by Robinson, who totaled 18 points and four rebounds. Alec Wizar (Lebanon, PA/Annville Cleona) finished with 17 points and six rebounds, Stravinski added a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, and Zachary Brunner (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) added 11 points and five rebounds. Wilkes dominated on the glass, outrebounding DeSales 43-23, and had 10 second chance points compared to zero for the Bulldogs.

DeSales was led by Cody Deal's 19 points. Brandon Bridy and Kuity Slanger both finished with 10 points, with Slanger adding five rebounds.

The Colonels return to action on Friday when they host FDU-Florham in MAC Freedom action at 5 pm. The game was moved up due to pending inclement weather.