The Bulldogs used an 11-3 run to jump out to a 22-11 lead midway through the opening stanza. Leading 9-8, Sedale Walton, Eddie Ohlson and Kyle Koch converted field goal attempts to extend the DeSales lead to 15-8. After a field goal inside by the Colonels Tyler Jenkins cut the deficit to 15-10, Koch scored five straight points and Michael Venafra added a bucket to push the lead to 22-11 at the 9:27 mark.
After Wilkes’ John Yanniello and Venafra traded baskets to make it 24-13, the Colonels went on a 19-4 run to take the lead for good. A three-pointer by Mike Constantine and a three-point play by Jenkins pulled Wilkes within 24-19 at the 8:15 mark. Greg Cardamone added a field goal inside to make it 24-21.
David Spadt and Venafra both canned jumpers for DeSales to give the visitors a 28-21 lead with 6:03 left in the half. Ryan Milford connected for a field goal and Constantine nailed another three to close the gap to 28-26. A steal and basket by Milford tied the game at 28-28 before Yanniello and Evan Walters both converted field goal tries to give Wilkes a 32-28 lead. The Colonels would maintain the four-point advantage and led 34-30 at intermission.
Leading 36-34 early in the second half, Wilkes went on a 13-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game. Two free throws by Walters began the spurt and gave the Colonels a 38-34 lead. John Sclafani scored the next 11 points for Wilkes, including three three-point field goals, to make it 49-34 with 10:54 left in the game.
DeSales answered with 11 straight points to cut the lead to 49-45 with 6:06 left. Koch scored inside and Venafra scored on a fast break to make it 49-38. After a Walton jumper, Jamie McCloskey hit a free throw and Koch scored again from in close to shrink the Wilkes lead to 49-43. Kevin Welsh would convert a shot following an offensive rebound by Walton to make it 49-45.
The Bulldogs would remain close throughout the remainder of the contest, but were unable to get any closer four points the rest of the way. The final time DeSales came that close was 58-54, after a Koch bucket with 42 seconds left. A free throw by Sclafani and four consecutive charity tosses by Milford in the remaining time would seal the Bulldogs fate.
Milford, who had seven rebounds, and Sclafani both finished with 12 points to lead the Wilkes attack. Yanniello added 10 points and four assists.
DeSales was led by Koch’s 27 points. Venafra chipped in with 10 tallies, while Spadt had six rebounds and four assists.