Wilkes-Barre, PA (February 10, 2016) – The DeSales University men's basketball team used a 20-4 run mid-way thru the second-half turning a six-point deficit into a 10-point lead and ultimately a 76-67 win over Wilkes University in MAC Freedom action on Wednesday evening in the Marts Center.
 
The win moves DeSales (16-6, 8-3 MAC Freedom) into sole possession of first place in the MAC Freedom with three games left to play after Misericordia University defeated Delaware Valley University also on Wednesday evening.  The win is also DSU's 11^th straight over the Colonels in the Marts Center.
 
Three Bulldogs netted a team-high 17 points in the win including senior Cody Deal, junior Kuity Slanger, and junior Brian Laird to lead the way.  Slanger added six assists to his line.  Sophomore Aaron Burton finished with eight points and five boards and junior Brandon Bridy added seven points and six boards.
 
Senior Alec Wizar totaled a game-high 18 points, freshman Marcus Robinson finished with 16 points, and senior Steve Stravinski recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead Wilkes (11-11, 6-5 MAC Freedom).
 
The first-half was a defensive battle as neither team shot well from the field but the Bulldogs used a 15-3 run late in the half to take an eight-point lead before settling for a four point cushion at the break.
 
Wilkes started strong in the second-half, out-scoring the Bulldogs 13-4 over the first 4:05 and led by six (41-35) at the 11:01 mark when the Bulldogs took control.
 
Two free throws from Deal followed by a three from Laird started the game-clinching spurt.  A lay-up from freshman Luke Connaghan gave DSU the lead for good at the 8:22 mark and Laird the charge with 10 of the 20 points during the run.
 
The Bulldogs then clinched the game from the line hitting 11-of-14 from the charity stripe over the final two minutes.
 
DeSales shot 56 percent from the field in the second-half and hit 21-of-25 free throws over the final 20 minutes.  DSU also took advantage of 21 Colonel turnovers to score 20 points off those turnovers.  Wilkes was just 7-for-32 from outside the arc in the loss.
 
Connaghan earns A.B.E. Doors and Windows Player of the Game honors giving DSU terrific minutes off the bench in the win totaling six points, four rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal.
 
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday when they host FDU-Florham in another MAC Freedom game beginning at 3:00 pm.