Wilkes Men's Basketball Open Conference Play with 58-48 Win Over Scranton

SCRANTON, PA - The Wilkes men's basketball team advanced to 4-0 on the season following a Wednesday night victory over Scranton. 

After trailing by five points at the end of the first half, the Colonels took the lead with just under six minutes remaining in the second half to secure the win. Leading in points for Wilkes was Cayden Merrifield (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) with 18, shooting 50% from the field and on three point shots, followed by Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton) with 10. Merrifield also recorded the team high in rebounds with nine, followed by Joey Zvorsky (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) with seven. Colin Ackerman (Manasquan, NJ/Wall Township) led in assists with six and recorded three steals along with Lesko, who also tallied a block. 

In what proved to be an even matchup with the Royals, the Colonels averaged a 41.9 shooting percentage from the field, compared to Scranton's 37.3. Wilkes outshot the Royals on three point shots, going 7-20 compared to Scranton's 3-16. The Colonels recorded 36 rebounds over Scranton's 24 as well as 14 assists compared to nine for the Royals. Scranton recorded 13 steals over WIlkes' 11 and earned 22 points off of turnovers compared to the Colonels' 19.

The Colonels next matchup will be against Catholic this Saturday at 3 p.m. for their home opener.