WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The University of Scranton men's basketball team (1-5, 0-1 Landmark) was unable to overcome 53.8% shooting from Wilkes and dropped a 68-48 decision to the Colonels (5-0, 1-0 Landmark) in the Landmark Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday night at the Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre.

Scranton got off to a strong start with consecutive threes from sophomore Jon Spatola (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) and junior Cameron Khoza (State College, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) to take an early 6-2 lead before the Colonels quickly answered with a 16-2 run over the next seven plus minutes that made it 18-8 in favor of the hosts. The Royals then fought back within four on a jumper from junior Mason Thompson (Prairie Village, Kan./Rockhurst) at the 6:37 mark that cut the lead to 21-17, but Wilkes was able to extend the lead back to 10 and took a 32-22 lead at halftime.

In the second half, sophomore Matthew Hanley (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) opened the scoring with a layup to bring the Royals within eight at 32-24. However, the Colonels then hit consecutive threes to stretch the advantage back to 14 at 38-24 and Scranton was unable to get any closer than 11 the rest of the way. A Spatola jumper brought Scranton within 11 with 13:58 to play before an 18-6 run helped Wilkes preserve the victory.

Spatola led the Royals with nine points on the night, while the trio of Hanley, Khoza and Thompson all added six points apiece.

Lucas Lesko had 22 points to lead Wilkes and Cayden Merrifield added 16 of his own.

The Royals were 19-of-56 (33.9%) from the field and 5-of-20 (25.0%) from long range in the contest and Wilkes shot 53.8% (28-of-52) from the floor and 41.2% (7-of-17) from deep.

Wilkes held a slight 32-30 edge in the rebounding battle and Hanley paced the Royals with seven boards.

Scranton is back in action on Saturday afternoon at Juniata with tip-off set for 2 p.m.