Men's Basketball News

Wilkes University 87, Delaware Valley 71

WILKES-BARRE (PA) -- Delaware Valley College placed five players in double figures but it wasn't enough as Wilkes University scored 13 consecutive points early in the second half and cruised to an 87-71 Freedom Conference victory.

The win improves the Colonels to 10-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference. The Aggies fall to 3-13 overall and 2-4 in conference action.

Wilkes held a slim 40-37 lead at halftime before assuming command with the strong start to the second period. Evan Walters scored inside to begin the second stanza and give the Colonels a 42-37 lead. But, Mike Thornton answered for the Aggies with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 42-40. That was as close as the visitors would get.

Mike Constantine began the decisive run for Wilkes with back-to-back three-pointers that produced a 48-40 lead. Dave Plisko followed with a driving basket and Ryan Milford scored in transition to build the lead to 52-40. Constantine would cap the run with another three-pointer and the Colonels held a 55-40 advantage with 12:52 left in the game.

Delaware Valley would not go away quietly however. The Aggies closed within eight points, 70-62, on a Thornton jumper with 3:27 left. Once again though, Wilkes would respond as the Colonels rattled off the next seven points to put the game away.

There were nine ties and six lead changes during a hotly contested first half of play. Wilkes went into the halftime locker room with a three-point lead after outscoring the Aggies 7-2 in the final 2:51 of the initial stanza. Delaware Valley shot 50 percent (17-for-34) in the first half and freshman Mike Zupa all 16 of his points during the first 20 minutes.

In addition to Zupa, Erik Tegethoff had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Javon Alston, who scored 12 and Pinckney, who had 11, were also in twin digits. Thornton finished with 11 points, ten rebounds and five assists in the loss.

Milford established career highs for points, rebounds and assists in the game as the junior ended the afternoon with 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Plisko added 16 points, three assists and three steals. Walters contributed 15 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots, while Constantine knocked down 13 tallies.