The Colonels set a defensive tone early in the game holding the Warriors without a field goal for the first seven minutes of the game. Lycoming, however, played a little defense of their own and stayed within striking distance until sophomore Jonathan Pribble connected on a three-pointer to ignite the offense and pull the Warriors with three at 8-11.
Wilkes extended their advantage to seven with less than eight minutes to play in the half, but an 8-0 run by the Warriors gave the home team their first lead at 22-21. Over the final six minutes of the period, the lead would change hands seven times and be tied four other times. Lycoming had the final say of the half with a pair of free throws to take a 38-36 lead into the locker room.
The second half picked up right where the first half left off with neither team able to open up a margin greater than three points. The Warriors finally broke free of a 48-48 tie with a 6-0 run midway through the period.
Lycoming maintained their six point lead into the final 10 minutes, but Colonels’ senior Mike Morgan connected on one of his five second-half three pointers to cut the deficit in half. Following a free-throw by the Warriors, fellow senior Dave Plisko drained a triple of his own to pull the visitors within one. Lycoming answered with another free throw, but Morgan hit yet another three-pointer to give Wilkes a 61-60 lead with 6:29 to play.
After trading leads, the two teams entered the final four minutes knotted at 65-65. Pribble put the Warriors ahead by three with a free throw and a jumper. Plisko and Lycoming’s L.J. Huggler traded free throws to make the score 69-66 with 2:33 to play.
After both teams went scoreless on their next possession, junior Shaun Morris delivered the knockout punch for the Warriors with an NBA-range three-pointer that came with just six seconds on the shot-clock and only 1:43 to play in the game. Lycoming went just 4-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 90 seconds, but came up with offensive rebounds on two of the misses that helped seal the victory. The Warriors out-rebounded the Colonels 44-22 in the game.
Pribble led all players with 34 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Morris added 14 points and Huggler chipped in 12. Senior Matt Stackhouse pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds, while scoring eight points and handing out four assists. Sophomore Brad Musser led the squad with five assists.
Morgan led Wilkes with 23 points, including seven three-pointers. Plisko added 19 markers and John Yanniello kicked in 15 points and four assists.
Newspaper Box Score Wilkes Colonels vs Lycoming Warriors 2/28/04 2:00 p.m. at Lamade Gym., Williamsport, Pa. At Lamade Gym., Williamsport, Pa. LYCOMING WARRIORS 78, WILKES COLONELS 70 WILKES COLONELS (18-9) Mike Morgan 8-14 0-1 23; Dave Plisko 5-15 7-11 19; John Yanniello 4-9 5-6 15; Ryan Milford 2-2 0-0 4; Rashawn Pressley 1-6 1-2 3; Tyler Jenkins 0-3 2-4 2; Evan Walters 1-1 0-2 2; John Sclafani 1-2 0-0 2; Greg Cardamone 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-53 15-26 70. LYCOMING WARRIORS (20-7) Jonathan Pribble 13-20 5-8 34; Shaun Morris 3-5 7-11 14; L.J. Huggler 4-5 4-6 12; Matt Stackhouse 2-8 4-4 8; Brad Musser 0-2 4-4 4; Derrick Dull 1-1 1-4 3; Nick Myers 1-1 0-4 2. Totals 24-42 26-43 78. Wilkes Colonels............... 36 34 - 70 Lycoming Warriors............. 38 40 - 78 3-point goals-Wilkes Colonels 11-28 (Mike Morgan 7-13; John Yanniello 2-5; Dave Plisko 2-8; John Sclafani 0-1; Rashawn Pressley 0-1), Lycoming Warriors 4-7 (Jonathan Pribble 3-6; Shaun Morris 1-1). Fouled out--Wilkes Colonels-Rashawn Pressley, Lycoming Warriors-None. Rebounds-Wilkes Colonels 22 (John Sclafani 3; Mike Morgan 3; Rashawn Pressley 3; Ryan Milford 3; Dave Plisko 3), Lycoming Warriors 44 (Matt Stackhouse 15). Assists-Wilkes Colonels 11 (John Yanniello 4), Lycoming Warriors 13 (Brad Musser 5). Total fouls-Wilkes Colonels 30, Lycoming Warriors 25. A-1629 Lycoming wins second Freedom Conference Championship and advances to NCAA Tournament.