SELINSGROVE, PA - In a tightly-contested meeting between two sides jostling for positions in the Landmark Conference Tournament late in the season, Susquehanna men's basketball were dealt a narrow defeat at the hands of the Wilkes Colonels by an 87-81 score.

Billy Anderson made a career-high four three-pointers, as he led the River Hawks with 20 points on the afternoon. The River Hawks were hot from downtown to begin the game, but made just three of their last 18 attempts from beyond the arc. The home side were damaged by Wilkes staying consistent in their shooting, making 60% of their shots and 55% of their three-pointers. The River Hawks also won the turnover battle, forcing 17 while only committing 11. Susquehanna had 12 steals in the game, led by Michael Pirone with three. Pirone also added 14 points.

Additional River Hawks in double figures was first-year Luke Fryer, who put together an impressive five-point play after drawing a flagrant foul, draining two free throws and then a three-pointer on the resulting possession. Fryer also added a team-best four assists.

Susquehanna held as much as an eight-point lead mid-second half, but they were unable to see out a slender advantage as Wilkes continued to find the basket down the stretch in a game that had six ties and 12 lead changes. The Colonels assembled a 12-0 run to take the lead with 4:31 to play, and they saw that advantage last until the end of the game. 

Cooper Haberern contributed with three triples, the second-most made after Anderson, for nine points, and three players added eight, as Brandon Lavitt made six of six from the foul line while Jackson Van Wagener and Logan Rhoades also added eight. Susquehanna was outrebounded 38-28 on the day, with Lavitt and Anderson pulling down eight boards apiece to lead the team.

With the defeat, Susquehanna drops to fourth in the Landmark Conference at 9-5, while their two-game winning streak is cut short. The River Hawks return home for their next game, as they take on Lycoming on Wednesday, before a two-game road trip sees them battle Scranton and Juniata. They finish their season on home soil, celebrating Senior Day on February 22 with a clash against Drew.