Wilkes Men's Basketball Dominates Moravian, 91-66
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | January 23, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
In a thrilling college basketball matchup, the Wilkes University men's basketball team came out on top, securing a dominant 91-66 victory over Moravian College on their home court last night. The game was tightly contested in the first half, but Wilkes pulled away in the second half, eventually securing the win by a decisive margin.
Wilkes held a narrow 39-32 lead at halftime, with both teams battling back and forth throughout the first 20 minutes. The game saw 8 lead changes and 3 ties, showing just how competitive the matchup was in the opening half. Despite Moravian’s effort, Wilkes’ offensive efficiency and strong defense kept them slightly ahead.
Wilkes' standout player of the night was Lucas Lesko, who put on a stellar performance, scoring 30 points. Lesko was red-hot from the field, finishing 12-of-18 shooting, including a very impressive 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. His scoring ability was a key factor in the team's success, and he provided a consistent offensive threat that Moravian struggled to contain.
Cayden Merrifield also had an exceptional outing, finishing with 21 points and 9 assists. His all-around play, especially his ability to distribute the ball and set up teammates, was crucial in keeping the offense flowing. Merrifield's vision and passing created easy scoring opportunities for his teammates, helping to widen the gap as the game progressed.
Colin Ackerman was another key contributor, finishing with 12 points and 4 steals. His defensive pressure and scoring ability helped keep Moravian on their heels throughout the game. Jack Argento rounded out the double-digit scorers for Wilkes with 10 points, adding another layer of depth to the offense.
Despite the strong individual performances from Moravian, including 14 points from Porter Kelly and 10 points from Chad Kratzer, the team struggled to keep pace with Wilkes in the second half. Jametric Harris added 9 points for Moravian, but the lack of offensive consistency allowed Wilkes to pull away after halftime.
Michael Leonardo contributed defensively for Moravian, recording 3 steals, but it wasn’t enough to stop the explosive Wilkes attack.
After a competitive first half, Wilkes exploded in the second period, outscoring Moravian by a margin of 52-34. The team’s aggressive offense, combined with a more intense defensive effort, overwhelmed Moravian, who had no answer for Wilkes’ scoring spree.
The final score, 91-66, reflects the total dominance Wilkes displayed in the second half, showcasing their offensive firepower and depth.
This win marks an important victory for Wilkes, who will look to build on this momentum as the season progresses. With Lesko, Merrifield, and Ackerman leading the way, the Colonels will be a tough team to beat as they continue to develop their chemistry and refine their game.
Moravian, on the other hand, will need to regroup after this loss and focus on improving their offensive flow and consistency if they hope to remain competitive in their upcoming games.
For now, Wilkes fans can celebrate a well-earned victory as their team continues to show they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
