WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University men's basketball team had 10 players record a point in its 73-59 victory over FDU-Florham to open Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play at the Marts Center on Wednesday evening.

The Colonels improved to 1-0 in MAC Freedom play and 7-5 overall with the victory.

Wilkes stormed out of the gate early, jumping out to a 9-0 lead through the first four minutes with sophomore Marcus Robinson (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) recording seven points during the run.

The Devils cut the lead to 13-7 following a 7-4 run over the next four minutes, but the Colonels pushed their lead to 16 on the back of a 20-10 run to make the score 33-17 with 5:29 until halftime. FDU-Florham finished the half on an 11-2 run as Wilkes entered halftime up seven with a 35-28 lead.

The Devils cut the lead to four three times in the first three minutes of the second half to put the game in jeopardy, but with the score 41-37 with 15:36 left the Colonels went on a 23-8 run to put the game away at 64-45 with 7:27 left following a three from freshman Mark Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley). Wilkes cruised the rest of the way, hitting three of four free throws in the minute and a half en route to the win.

Robinson led the Colonels with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Sophomore Connor Evans (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) totaled 13 points and five assists while Mullins contributed seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Derek Leohner finished with 24 points to lead FDU-Florham while Veon Lassiter contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Wilkes outscored the Devils in the paint 38-22, recorded 12 points on the fast break compared to two for FDU-Florham, and got 31 points from its bench while the Devils got 15.

The Colonels return to action on Saturday when they travel to Manhattanville for a 3 p.m. MAC Freedom matchup.