Wilkes will begin the post-season on Wednesday when they head to DeSales University for a semi-final game at 8:00 p.m. The Colonels are the number-four seed in the tournament, while DeSales is the top seed. The winner of that game will take on either King’s or Lycoming on Saturday for the Freedom Conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Colonels, who held a 42-31 lead at intermission, led 67-57 following a three-point basket by Dave Plisko with 6:21 showing on the clock. The Lions responded with an 11-1 run to tie the game. Both Vince Carter-Bey and Andre Logan converted consecutive three-point plays cut the lead to 67-63 with 5:34 left.
Evan Walters hit a free throw for Wilkes on the Colonels next possession to extend the lead to 68-63. Logan then followed a missed shot with a rebound and dunk and Michael Kearse scored on a drive to pull the Lions within 68-67 with 4:34 left. Jermaine Gale hit the first of two free throws to tie the game at 68-68, but that is the last time Lincoln would get even.
Plisko hit two charity tosses and fed John Yanniello for a layup to give Wilkes a 72-68 lead with 3:06 left. At the 2:48 mark, Walters hit one free throw to make it 73-68. Lincoln answered with field goals by Kearse and Logan to make it 73-72 with 50 seconds left. Walters missed a shot on the next Wilkes possession, but Rashawn Pressley grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with 16 seconds left. Pressley hit the first of two free throws to give Wilkes a 74-72 advantage. Jamal Johnson’s three-point attempt with three seconds left was blocked by Walters and Pressley snared the board to secure the win.
Plisko, playing his final home game for the Colonels, cashed in a game-high 27 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. Walters added 12 points, 10 rebounds, five blocked shots and five steals. Yanniello contributed 12 points, five rebounds and five steals.
Logan paced Lincoln with 21 points and eight rebounds. John Bunch, the Lions 7-2 sophomore center, added 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. Johnson was also in double-figures with 10 tallies.