Men's Basketball

Wilkes University 83, Delaware Valley 62

WILKES-BARRE (PA) - Wilkes University held visiting Delaware Valley College to just 19.2 percent shooting from the field in the second half to pull away for an 83-62 Freedom Conference men's basketball win on Saturday afternoon in the Marts Center.

The victory improves the Colonels to 14-8 overall (7-5 conference). Wilkes remains in a tie with Lycoming for the fourth and final playoff berth. Delaware Valley sees their records move to 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the conference.

Wilkes held a 40-34 lead at intermission before taking charge in the second stanza. Leading 42-36 early in the period, the Colonels embarked on a decisive 12-2 run that extended their lead to 16 points. Matt Gould and Mike Constantine both converted field goals to give Wilkes a 46-36 lead at the 13:31 mark.

The Aggies would cut the gap to 46-38 on a pair of free throws by Meril Branch. However, Chris Shovlin knocked down two jumpers and David Goode powered home a dunk off an assist from Rashawn Pressley to push the lead to 52-38 at the 11:58 mark. A layup by Pressley following a Goode steal ended the run and made it 54-38 with 11:38 left.

Delaware Valley would never get back in the game thanks in large part to the Colonels defensive effort. The Aggies were able to convert only 5-of-26 field goal attempts in the second half and committed 12 turnovers in the stanza. Wilkes, meanwhile, enjoyed a hot shooting night. The Colonels converted 53.1 percent of their tries from the field in the game, including 7-of-14 from three-point range.

Shovlin, who was 8-of-12 in the game, had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead the Wilkes assault. Constantine hit 5-of-6 shots to finish with 16 tallies. Jeremy Kable came off the bench to chip in 12 points.

Isaiah Pinckney, who hit four three-pointers in the first half to keep the Aggies in the game, led the way for his squad with 14 points. Branch contributed 10 points and tied teammate Orlon Baker for game-high honors with nine rebounds.