LA PLUME, Pa. – The Wilkes University men's basketball team were victorious at Ace Spalding Arena on Wednesday night, earning a hard-fought overtime win over Keystone College 92-82.

With the win, the Colonels remain undefeated at 3-0, while Keystone are still in search of their first win of the year at 0-2.

Wilkes took control early thanks to a three-pointer from first year Daniel Santaniello (Roaring Brook Twp., PA/Scranton Prep), kickstarting a run that took the score from 9-9 to 31-13 Colonels, helped by six points from Mason Fedor (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights). With the remaining seven minutes of the first half the Colonels maintained their double-digit lead, but the Giants managed to cut the lead to 11 with two free throws to close the half with the score 43-32 Wilkes.

The Colonels held firm to start the second half, assisted by Cayden Merrifield (Scranton, PA/West Scranton), scoring nine points with two three-pointers through the first ten minutes of the half to make it 63-53 Colonels. A 7-0 Giant run made it a one possession game with eight minutes remaining, but the Colonels pulled the lead back out to double digits again with five minutes to play, 73-63.

A 13-2 Keystone run gave the Giants their first lead of the half, as Daryl Coleman hit a three with 1:10 remaining. Another jumper boosted the Giants lead to three, but another clutch three by Lesko with ten seconds left pushed the game to overtime tied at 78.

The hosts opened the extra period with four points, but from there the Colonels dominated the offense with 14 unanswered points en route to victory. Eli Becker (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) had six points in the period to help Wilkes to victory.

Lesko led the team with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Merrifield led the team with nine assists and 19 points of his own. Becker and Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) were the other two Colonels in double-digit scoring with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Coleman was the Giants' top scorer with 23, followed by Boston Caldwell with 22.

The two teams will face off again in a return fixture at the Marts Center on Saturday, November 30. But first, the Colonels open Landmark Conference play with a trip to the University of Scranton on Wednesday, November 20. Tip off against the Royals is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.