WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University men's basketball team outscored Manhattanville College 52-33 in the second half to erase a seven point halftime deficit and win its third straight game and fourth out of the last five at the Marts Center on Saturday afternoon by a 78-66 final.

The Colonels are now 9-10 overall and 4-4 in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play.

The Valiants had the largest lead of the first half at 10, but Wilkes cut the lead to seven and entered the half down 33-26.

The Colonels scored the first nine points of the second half, turning the seven point deficit into a two point lead at 35-33 before Manhattanville was forced to call a timeout just two minutes in. The Valiants fought to keep it close, but with 15:36 remaining and the score 39-39, Wilkes went on a 13-3 run to push its lead to 10 at 52-42 with 11:50 remaining. Manhattanville was able to cut the lead to four with 10 minutes remaining, but the Colonels finished the last half on a 26-18 and reach its largest lead at the end of the game at 12.

Wilkes was led by Steve Stravinski (Pittston, PA/Pittston), who finished with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Alec Wizar (Lebanon, PA/Annville Cleona) totaled 15 points and seven rebounds while Zachary Brunner (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) added 10 points and five rebounds. Clay Basalyga (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) added seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.

The Valiants were led by Anthony Maestre (11 points, four assists), Charles Nardone (11 points, eight rebounds), and Alex Tuci (10 points, 12 rebounds). Dom Arena added 16 points off the bench.

The Colonel defense held Manhattanville to 39 percent shooting (23 of 66) including 19 percent (five of 26) from three-point range. Wilkes also finished 19 of 22 (86 percent) from the free throw line.

The Colonels return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Eastern University for an 8 p.m. MAC Freedom matchup.