WILKES-BARRE – In a game in which they trailed for most of the afternoon, including a five-point deficit less than a minute into overtime, the Wilkes University men's basketball team defeated Manhattanville College helped by two quick overtime three-pointers from sophomore Connor Evans (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) in a thrilling 68-63  Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom game at the Marts Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Colonels improved to 11-10 overall and 5-5 in MAC Freedom play.

Wilkes held the lead only once in the first half, using a three-pointer from Evans with 18:01 left in the half to take a 3-2 lead. The Valiants finished the half on a 30-24 run to take a 32-27 lead into halftime.

Manhattanville continued to control the game for the next ten minutes, carrying a 50-41 lead with 10:19 on the clock. Over the following six minutes, the Colonels mounted an 11-2 run to tie the game at 52 with 4:20 on the clock after another three-pointer from Evans. The Valiants converted a layup two possessions later to take a 54-52 lead with 3:22 left, but sophomore Zach Walser (Marcellus, N.Y./Bishop Ludden) was up to matching it with a layup of his own to tie the score with 1:25 remaining.

Wilkes came up with two key defensive stops in the final minute, as freshman Mark Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) stole a pass with 57 seconds left and the defense secured a shot clock violation with just four seconds on the clock. The ball was inbounded to Evans who weaved through the defense before his layup attempt was blocked, giving sophomore Marcus Robinson (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) a chance to tip the ball in with one second left, but that attempt rolled out much to the chagrin of the Colonels faithful, forcing overtime.

Manhattanville put up five points in the first minute of the extra period to take a 59-54 lead with 4:06 remaining. Evans put Wilkes on his back at that point, making two three-pointers in twenty seconds to give the Colonels a 60-59 lead that would not be relinquished with Wilkes making all four free throw attempts in the waning seconds to secure the win. The defense played a key role in the victory, forcing the Valiants into four turnovers in the overtime period.

Wilkes was led by Evans, who finished with 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds on four-of-six shooting from beyond the arc. Sophomore Tommy Bowen (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) (12 points, five rebounds, four assists), Robinson (12 points, six rebounds, three assists), and Mullins (12 points) all finished in double figures.

Manhattanville was led by junior Alex Tuci, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Freshman Jojo Collins added 15 points and five rebounds.

The Colonels return to action on Wednesday when they host DeSales in MAC Freedom action at 8 p.m. at Marts Center.