SCRANTON, Pa. – Wilkes closed the game on an 11-2 run over the final 2:10 and The University of Scranton men's basketball team (4-16, 2-11 Landmark) dropped a tough 70-62 decision to the Colonels (15-5, 8-5 Landmark) on Wednesday night at the John Long Center in Scranton.

Sophomore Jon Spatola (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) hit a jumper with 2:10 to go that gave the Royals a 60-59 edge, but Trent Fisher answered with a layup on the other end that regained the lead for Wilkes. Scranton continued to battle and freshman Nick Ruisi's (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields/Cheshire Academy) layup with just under a minute to play cut the deficit to 63-62 before Wilkes sank a three on the ensuing possession and the hosts were unable to get any closer than four over the final 0:30.

Both teams struggled offensively out of the gate and Wilkes led 21-12 at the 7:33 mark of the first half before Spatola's jumper helped spark a Royals' rally. The Colonels held a 29-19 advantage later in the half, but Scranton fought back with seven consecutive points and senior Tahaj Parland (Neptune, N.J./Mater Dei) sank a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to three at 29-26 at the 2:26 mark. Parland scored six straight points down the stretch and fed junior Cameron Khoza (State College, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) for a three in the final minute that drew the Royals within five at 36-31 at the half.

The Royals continued to battle in the second half and quickly erased a 41-34 deficit with a 14-7 stretch as Parland's two free throws tied the game at 48 apiece with 12:48 to play. Wilkes was able to regain a six-point edge at 58-52, but Ruisi connected on a three and Spatola then scored five consecutive points as Scranton took the afore-mentioned 60-59 lead.

Parland led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting and Spatola added 17 points of his own to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Fisher led the Colonels with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Lucas Lesko added a double-double of his own with 16 points and 10 boards.

Scranton shot 37.9% (22-of-58) from the floor and 42.1% (8-of-19) from deep and Wilkes was 25-of-61 (41.0%) from the field and 7-of-22 (31.8%) from long range.

Khoza grabbed a career-high nine rebounds on the night.

The Royals will host rival No. 15 Catholic on Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center with opening tip slated for 1 p.m.

--ROYALS--