Wilkes Men's Basketball Victorious Against Cross-Town Rivals King's College
 

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes University men's basketball team defeated the King's College Monarchs 75-60 in a cross-town competition on Wednesday evening. 

The Colonels improve to a 1-1 record, while the Monarchs enter the season 0-1. 

The Colonels entered the game with a slow start, taking a 10-4 lead early in the first half. The Monarchs responded with back-to-back three-pointers to even the score 10-10. Wilkes kept their energy high and found themselves up by 12 points with a layup from Antonio Brittain (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell). 

Brittain, Daniel Santaniello (Roaring Brook Twp., PA/Scranton Prep), and Travis Linn (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) all found equal scoring opportunities carrying Wilkes into a successful first half. Wilkes ended the half in dramatic fashion as Brendan Styer (Wayne, PA/Conestoga) sunk a half-court buzzer beater, sealing the 41-25 lead. 

The offense stayed in rhythm to start the second half with Brittain continuing to lead the attack while Mason Fedor (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) added his first points of the night. Despite the 15-point deficit, King's kept their energy going with back-to-back layups to get the Monarchs within 10 points. 

Santaniello took the reins in the offensive attack as he found an essential dunk and three-pointer, increasing the lead to 68-50. Wilkes finished the game from the free throw line, securing a 75-60 victory. 
Wilkes as a team shot 43.5% from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc, while King shot 29.1% from the field and 28.6% from the three. The Colonels also held the Monarchs 31-22. 

Individually, Santaniello led the way with 21 points, shooting 40% from the field. Brittain was the top rebounder on the night with 14 and finished the night with 13 points. Linn and Britton also had a great night, sharing 10 points each. 

The Colonels return to the court on Saturday, November 14 against Arcadia University for a 2 p.m. tip-off.