Wilkes men’s basketball built a halftime lead Wednesday at the University of Scranton.
The Colonels had to hold on in the final seconds to prevent the Royals’ comeback.
The Royals rallied to take a one-point lead on a Josias Carbon layup with 1:11 left, but Lucas Lesko converted a layup and hit a jumper in the final 55 seconds as Wilkes hung on for a 77-74 win over Scranton in Landmark Conference play.
Scranton had a chance to tie the game in the final seven seconds, but a late 3-pointer didn’t fall.
Wilkes improves to 10-7 in the league, while Scranton falls to 12-5.
Lesko hit 11 of 18 from the floor, finishing with 24 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Jack Argento was also perfect on the night, hitting 11 of 12 for 23 points.
Sammy Tornabene led Scranton with 23 points, and Brendan Carr had 14. Nick Ruisi finished with 11 and Carbon netted 10.
Women’s basketball
DeSales 76, King’s 45: In Center Valley, DeSales netted 26 points in the first quarter to extend King’s losing skid to five games.
Claire Aufiero led King’s with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Lauren Casey finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Scranton 93, Wilkes 42: At the Long Center, the undefeated Royals scored 55 points in the first half as the second-ranked team in the nation rolled to the Landmark win.
Holy Cross graduate Kaci Kranson led Scranton with 20 points, while teammate Elizabeth Bennett added 14. Meghan Lamanna was the third Royal in double figures with 12.
For Wilkes, Maliyah Warren was the lone Colonel in double digits with 18 points.