Lycoming took a 67-62 lead on a basket by Curtis Mays with 2:32 remaining in the game. Wilkes followed with their decisive run. Mike Morgan nailed a three-pointer to close the deficit to 67-65. A driving basket by Dave Plisko knotted the game at 67-67 with 1:44 left. After Shaun Morris missed a three-point attempt for the Warriors, Plisko connected on another drive to give the Colonels a 69-67 advantage with 47 seconds left.
On the next Lycoming possession, Morris was fouled going to the basket. Morris made the initial charity toss, but missed the second with 26 seconds left. Plisko, who was fouled after snaring the rebound, calmly sank both free throws to give Wilkes a 71-68 lead with 23 seconds remaining. Morris tried another three-pointer with 11 seconds left, but Morgan blocked the shot and Evan Walters was fouled after grabbing the rebound. Walters was unable to hit the one-and-one free throw, but Rashawn Pressley pulled down the rebound and was fouled with six ticks left. Pressley missed both charity tosses and Morris’ three-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
Lycoming used an 8-1 run at the end of the first half to take a 35-31 lead at intermission. Trailing 30-27, Morris hit one free throw and Jonathan Pribble canned a three-pointer to give the visitors a 31-30 lead. A pair of Pribble free throws and a basket inside by Matt Stackhouse provided Lycoming with a 35-30 lead. John Yanniello hit one free throw for the Colonels to pull his team within 35-31.
The Warriors built their biggest lead when Stackhouse scored inside to make it 54-46 with 11:21 left. Wilkes would answer with an 11-3 run to pull even at 57-57 with 6:04 showing on the clock. Plisko scored nine points during the spurt to help the Colonels rally.
Wilkes held a 62-61 lead following a basket by Evan Walters with 4:47 left. The Warriors then rattled off six straight points to take a 67-62 lead and set the stage for the Colonels final charge.
Plisko finished with a game-high 23 points to lead Wilkes. Morgan chipped in with 12 tallies, while Mike Constantine contributed 11 tallies.
Pribble had 13 points and five assists for Lycoming. Morris, who had eight rebounds and four assists, and Huggler each finished with 12 points. Stackhouse added 10 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.