WILKES-BARRE – Despite being down by as many as 11 in the first half and 18 with under five minutes remaining in the game, the Wilkes University men's basketball team were just a couple of free-throws away from escaping with a win on Saturday, but ultimately fell by a 67-64 final to Messiah College at the Marts Center.

The Colonels now stand at 5-2 on the season.

Wilkes had an up-and-down first half, shooting only 29 percent (7-of-24) from the field including 27 percent (3-of-11) from three-point range as it entered halftime with a nine point deficit at 30-21.

The Falcons looked to put the game away in the second half, taking a 65-47 lead with only 4:51 showing on the clock. The Colonels found late life however, closing the gap to three after a 15-0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Jack Bova (Camillus, NY/West Genesee), to make the score 65-62 with 43 seconds remaining. Wilkes missed on three of its final four free throw attempts to seal the game for Messiah.

Marcus Robinson (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) led the way for the Colonels, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds. Rob Pecorelli (Huntington, NY/Harborfields) added 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while Landon Henry (Hughesville, PA/Hughesville) reached double-figures for the first time in his collegiate career with 11 points with three assists.

Colin Sareyka finished with a game-high 28 points for the Falcons with three assists while Matt Glagowski added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Wilkes returns to action on Tuesday when it will host Clarks Summit University at the Marts Center at 8:00 p.m.