DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. – The Wilkes University men's basketball team opened its winter journey to Florida with a 94-85 defeat at the hands of Hiram College at the Ocean Center in Florida on Thursday evening.

The Colonels fell to 6-4 on the season.

Hiram held the lead for most of the first half, reaching its largest lead at nine when it led 45-36 with 22 second remaining and held a 45-38 lead entering halftime.

The Terriers controlled most of the second half, reaching the largest lead of the game at 23 with 11:27 remaining in the game.

Wilkes fought back in the latter stages of the second half, trimming the lead to six, trailing 89-83 with 1:10 remaining following a Mark Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) free throw, but it was unable to complete the comeback.

Marcus Robinson (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) led the Colonels with 21 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists. Mullins added 18 points to tie his career high while pulling down eight rebounds and Rob Pecorelli (Huntington, NY/Harborfields) contributed 10 points and four rebounds.

Hiram had four players finish in double figures led by Terrence Warren's game-high 22 points and five rebounds.

Wilkes returns to the hardwood tomorrow when it wraps up the warm weather excursion with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Norwich University.