WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 3, 2024) - The Susquehanna University men's basketball team fell to the Wilkes University Colonels for the second time this season by a score of 92-58 Saturday afternoon on Wilkes' home court. The Colonels account for two of the River Hawks' three Landmark defeats as SU retains second place in the league standings, one game ahead of third-place Drew and two games in front of their Saturday foes. 

The last time these two teams met on Jan. 12 Wilkes handed Susquehanna their first loss in Landmark Conference play with an 87-71 win behind Cayden Merrifield's 35 points, and Trent Fisher's double-double of 11 points and 10 assists, so Susquehanna came into this game looking to split the season series at one win a piece. 

Through the first five minutes both teams sat a 6-6 tie, but then the roof caved in for the River Hawks. A Lucas Lesko layup gave the Colonels a lead that they would hold onto for the rest of the game. That basket started an 11-0 run for the home team before Susquehanna finally ended their scoring drought. Overall, Susquehanna's offense struggled all half as they shot just 6-17 from the field and missed both their threes, while Wilkes shot 17-33 from the field and 4-10 from three. This lights out shooting along with 12 forced turnovers gave the Colonels a commanding 41-20 lead at the break. 

The second half was more of the same for the River Hawks. Although their offense played better, shooting 11-21 from the field and 3-8 from three, Wilkes also took their offense game to another level, shooting 20-29 from the field and 6-8 from downtown. Overall, the Colonels controlled the second half from start to finish, never seeing their lead get lower than 19 points and increasing it to as much as 36 in the final minutes. 

The massive difference in rebounds, 37 for Wilkes to just 25 for Susquehanna, was the biggest reason for the defeat as it led to 48 points in the paint for the Colonels compared to 20 points in the paint for the River Hawks. Marcus Mitchell was the only player on the Susquehanna side to score in double figures with 15 points, and Steven Ressler was the second leading scorer with nine points and four rebounds. 

The loss drops Susquehanna to 14-7 on the season and 11-3 in the Landmark Conference, but hold onto the two seed in the conference with four games remaining as they look to secure a first-round bye going into the playoffs. The River Hawks are back in action Wednesday night Feb. 7 as they go on the road again, this time against the Lycoming College Warriors in Williamsport. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.