Wilkes Men's Basketball Fall to Drew in Wednesday Night Matchup

WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes men's basketball team dropped their contest against the Rangers on Wednesday night, falling to Drew by a score of 102-92. 

The Colonels had a slow start to the game, trailing the Rangers 25-52. Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton) led the attack in the first half, recording 10 points as well as Cayden Merrifield (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) who tallied six. Colin Ackerman (Manasquan, NJ/Wall Township) brought a lot of energy to the offense later in the half, adding four points for the Colonels. Lesko, Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) and Joey Zvorsky (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) each had four rebounds and assists in the first half. The Rangers had a strong offensive performance in the first half, with Malcolm Newman and Josh Kline each recorded 11 points for Drew. Eli Becker (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) and Zvorsky each recorded a steal in the first half and Zvorsky was strong in the defense against the Rangers. The Colonels shot 10-27 from the field, 1-6 on three point shot attempts and 4-7 from the free throw line in the first half. 

Merrifield led the offense in the second half, adding 22 points in the half, while Becker added 18. The Colonels put up a strong performance offensively, cutting the 27 point deficit they ended the first half with to 10 by the end of the game, with an 8-1 run by the Colonels in the final minutes of the game to help. Lesko recorded a double-double as well, with 20 total points and 10 total rebounds. For the Rangers, Newman added eight more points and Kline added seven in the second half, with a 13-4 run to open the second half to strengthen the difference in scoring. Wilkes ended the game shooting 34-66 from the field, 6-17 on three point shot attempts and 18-24 from the free throw line. 

The Colonels will be back at home for their next game against Elizabethtown on Saturday for senior day. Tip off is set for 4 p.m.