WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes University men's basketball team fell to the Muhlenberg University Mules 74-59 Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center.

The loss drops the Colonels to 6-5 in the regular season, while the Mules improve to 7-5.

Wilkes fell behind 10-2 after four minutes of action, but quickly responded with a 7-0 run to make it a one-point game after a layup and one by Eli Becker (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra). 

Three straight baskets from the Mules got the lead back up to seven and the two teams traded buckets for the next few minutes until it was 19-15 Muhlenberg with 10:26 remaining in the first half. 

The Mules then went on a 9-0 run powered by Arinze Achufusi to give them a 28-15 lead with eight minutes left, and they kept the Colonels at arms-length for the rest of the half, going into the locker room with a 36-28 lead.

Muhlenberg immediately got the lead back to double-digits after a three from Drew Buck, and it never got back into single-digits for the rest of the game outside of two moments.

The Colonels' best chance to spark a late rally came with 6:48 to play in the game after an 8-0 run to turn a 57-41 game into a 57-49 game, but a layup and one by Nate Hoffman made it an 11-point lead once again for the Mules. From there the Colonels couldn't close the gap as Muhlenberg secured the win.

Daniel Santaniello (Roaring Brook Twp., PA/Scranton Prep) led the Colonels in scoring with 19 points on 4-16 shooting, while three other Colonels also scored double-digit points, Eli Becker (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (13), Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) (11), and Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton) (11).

On the other side three Mules scored in double-digits. Jack Woodard led the team with 18 points on 5-14 shooting, followed by Buck with 15 on 5-11 shooting, and Achufusi with 12 on 6-12 shooting.

Wilkes was also outshot by Muhlenberg 41.3% to 33.9%, and went just 2-21 (9.5%) from beyond the arc compared to 10-29 (34.5%) for Muhlenberg. The Colonels also committed double the amount of turnovers compared to the Mules (16-8).

The Colonels return to the court on Wed. January 7 at 4 p.m. for a Landmark Conference matchup against the Juniata College Eagles.