WILKES-BARRE (PA) – Delaware Valley University fell from the unbeaten ranks in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play as the Aggies dropped a 60-57 decision at Wilkes University.
The win was the first for the Colonels in league action as they improved to 6-9 overall and 1-3 in the MAC Freedom. Meanwhile, DelVal slipped to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference. The Aggies are now tied with DeSales University atop the conference standings and the two will meet in Doylestown a week from today, January 23. DelVal will first travel to league foe FDU-Florham on Wednesday, January 20.
The Aggies could not find their shooting touch all afternoon, but hung around and trailed by just three, 52-52-49, with 4:30 remaining. Freshman Alex Matsinye drilled a 3-pointer 20 seconds later to tie things up and, after two missed by Wilkes, it was Matsinye again from downtown to give DelVal a 55-52 advantage with 3:28 left.
The Aggies had a chance to increase their lead after a long possession by the Colonels, but they missed on a 3-point attempt. Wilkes' Connor Evans was fouled and he hit both free throws for a one-point contest. It ignited an 8-0 Colonel run in which Evans had six of the eight points. His next basket was a contested layup that followed a DelVal turnover. Then after Marcus Robertson scored on a tough drive inside, Evans scored on a breakaway layup for a 60-55 Wilkes lead with 49 seconds to go.
Matsinye drove to the basket and scored with 41 ticks remaining. Following a timeout, Evans got free for another layup, but he missed it as it was contested at the last second. The Aggies quickly came down the court and Matsinye had a good look at a game-tying trey, but it was off the mark. Barry Brockington grabbed the offensive board and got it out to Zach Sly, whose 3-point attempt was also off. A loose ball was eventually grabbed by the Colonels and they had the upset win.
DelVal trailed for most of the first half, including by as many as eight, however, it took a 27-26 lead at the break. Tyliek Kimbrough scored the first bucket of the second half to up the advantage, but Wilkes quickly took control and went on an 18-4 run for its largest of the game, 44-33. The Aggies came right back and scored eight straight and eventually tied the game on a Brockington 3-pointer with 6:03 to go. However, it was Wilkes' afternoon and the Colonels closed it out down the stretch.
DelVal shot just 32.7 percent from the field and turned the ball over 13 times compared to just 11 by the Colonels. Matsinye led the team with 14 points and added six rebounds while Chris Moran had 12 points and 11 boards. Brockington finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Alec Wizar was 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and finished with a game-high 17 points. Evans, Zachary Brunner and Steve Stravinski had 13 points apiece for Wilkes.