Men's Basketball Downs University of Scranton in Back-and-Forth Thriller
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Wilkes University men's basketball team was back in action on Wednesday night, taking on the University of Scranton, defeating the Royals in a tight contest, 77-74
Led by twenty-plus point games from Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) and Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton), the Colonels downed Scranton for the seventh-consecutive time in Landmark Conference play.
Wilkes improved to 15-9 (10-7 Landmark), while the Royals fell to 19-5 (12-5 Landmark).
The Colonels began the contest on a quick 6-0 run after Scranton missed three consecutive jump shots just over two minutes in. Jack Argento (Hershey, PA/Hershey) had two of Wilkes' three baskets in that run.
Five minutes into the first half, the Navy and Gold held a 13-4 lead in hostile territory, with the majority of points coming from Argento and Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton).
Scranton were forced to take their second timeout of the game with 14:34 left in the half after Daniel Santaniello (Roaring Brook Twp., PA/Scranton Prep) hit a three from deep to make it 16-4.
The Royals then went on a 9-0 run before Lesko hit a three-pointer of his own before
Scranton answered back to make it a one point game with 9:38 left in the opening half.
That Scranton basket started a 6-0 run that ended with Argento nabbing a layup and making his free throw to put the Colonels back in front.
In the last six minutes of the first half, Wilkes finished on a 12-6 run, giving the Colonels a 37-31 advantage at halftime.
The Navy and Gold came out of halftime on scoring form, with Lesko grabbing a jumper for two before Scranton answered back with a three-pointer from Sammy Tornabene.
With 13:27 left on the clock, Wilkes' lead shrunk to just one point after the Royals went on an 8-3 run.
At the 10:44 mark in the second half, Scranton led 54-52 following back-to-back baskets, including a three pointer from Ben Robinson.
The Colonels re-took the lead after Mason Fedor (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) hit a three from deep, followed by two baskets from Argento.
After more back-and-forth play, the Colonels had a three point lead with four minutes remaining in the second half.
Scranton battled back and re-took the lead once again with 1:03 left in the game, making it a 74-73 contest in the dying moments. At the 55-second mark, Lesko made a layup, putting the Colonels back in front yet again.
Lesko made another layup with just 11 seconds left to make it a three-point game. Wilkes shut down Scranton's final possession of the game, clinching a thrilling victory in hostile territory.
Argento (23) and Lesko (23) combined for 47 of Wilkes' 77 points, with Santaniello and Colin Ackerman (Manasquan, NJ/Wall Township) each scoring nine.
For the Royals, Tornabene finished with 23 points, with Nick Ruisi, Brendan Carr and Josias Carbon each hitting double-digit point totals.
The Colonels return to the Marts Center this Saturday, Feb. 21 for the conclusion of the regular season with Senior Day against Goucher College. Tip-off against the Gophers is set for 2 p.m.
