READING, PA – First year Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) netted a career-high 16 points but the Wilkes University men's basketball team lost 67-56 at Alvernia University on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Jack McCloskey Court.

Wilkes dropped to 2-3 overall with the road loss while Alvernia improved to 3-1 overall.

Drake Marshall's (Gainesville, VA/Patriot) jumper on a fastbreak tied the score at 8-8 with just under five minutes gone in the first half. Colin Ackerman (Manasquan, NJ/Wall Township) completed a three-point-play with a free throw with 10:14 left in the half as Wilkes trailed 20-17.

The Golden Wolves lead extended to 10 three times the remainder of the first half as the hosts led 36-27 at the break following an Elias Walker (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham) free throw with 20 seconds left.

Cayden Merrifield (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) and Trent Fisher (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) came out with buckets to start the second half as Wilkes cut the lead to five points at 36-31. An Argento three assisted by Merrifield made it a two point game at 41-39 with 14:17 left on the clock. Argento then nailed another three from Merrifield and Merrifield made a layup to put the Colonels ahead 44-41 with 12:41 left to complete a 10-0 run.

Alvernia answered with an 11-2 run to go back ahead 53-46 with 8:28 left. Argento made a layup to stop the run and get Wilkes back within five. The Golden Wolves would then extend their lead to a game-high 16 points with 55 seconds left on their way to a 67-56 win.

Argento had a career-high 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting and added six rebounds. Fisher had his first double-double of the season and 11th of his career with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Merrifield finished with nine points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Alvernia was led by Nigel Cooke's 13 points. Malik Green added 11 points and Jakob Kelly had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Wilkes shot 38.9% from the floor (21-for-54) while Alvernia was 34.4% (21-for-61). The Golden Wolves were 16-for-20 at the free throw line and the Colonels were 9-for-12. Wilkes led in bench points 27-21, points in the paint 26-20, and fast break points 18-8. Alvernia turned 15 Wilkes turnovers into 20 points while Wilkes scored 13 points off 13 Alvernia turnovers.

The Colonels return to the court at Marywood University on Tuesday with tip scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Scranton, Pa.