Rickrode is one of the winningest coaches in Division III history in terms of percentage. He has an overall record of 250 wins and 76 losses during his tenure at Wilkes, good for a .767 winning percentage. That percentage ranks Rickrode second on the list among active Division III coaches who have at least five years experience, and second on the all-time Division III list for coaches with at least 10 years experience.
Lincoln held a 20-18 lead following a field goal by Kyle Myrick with 7:41 left in the opening period. Wilkes responded by outscoring the Lions 12-6 during the remainder of the half to head into the locker room with a 30-24 advantage. Ryan Milford had four points during the spurt, while Dan Adams, John Sclafani, Rashawn Pressley and Evan Walters added two points apiece.
The Lions would claw their way to within two points, 46-44, on a three-pointer by Jamal Jacobs with 6:13 left in the contest. Once again Wilkes responded with a run to pull away. John Yanniello canned two free throws, Walters scored inside and Pressley made one of two charity tosses to extend the lead to 51-44 with 4:53 left.
After Thomas Hickson converted inside for Lincoln, Sclafani scored off a Milford assist and Yanniello hit two more free throws to push the lead to 55-46 with 3:42 showing on the clock. A free throw by Milford at the 3:29 mark would give the Colonels a 56-46 lead and put the game out of reach.
Yanniello had a game-high 20 points for the Colonels, who converted 30-of-42 free throw attempts in the game. Walters contributed 14 points, six rebounds, eight blocked shots and three assists. Milford chipped in with a double-double after finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Myrick, who came into the game averaging 35.5 points per contest for Lincoln, was held to 18 points on 8-of-23 shooting. Thomas Lahart added 12 tallies, while Darryl White finished with 13 rebounds.