The University of Scranton men's basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting performance in a 52-45 loss to Wilkes on Sunday afternoon in the second day of the Cross-County Challenge in the Long Center.

The Royals (2-3) went into halftime tied, 19-19, despite shooting just 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from the field. The second half saw Scranton hit just 33.3 percent (9-for-27), but the Royals still had a shot with five minutes left when they pulled within 45-41.

But Wilkes (4-1) used a 7-2 spurt over the next four minutes to hang on, including making five of six from the free throw line at the end.

Scranton's 45 points are the fourth-lowest in the shot clock era (1985-present) for the Royals. Their 27.5 percent (14-for-51) performance from the field is the team's lowest since they shot 26.3 percent (15-for-57) in a 67-54 loss to Merchant Marine Academy on Dec. 9, 2012, in the Long Center.

Senior guard Ethan Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights) finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal to earn All-Tournament honors a day after scoring 28 in an 85-79 win over King's. Senior guard Kevin Doolan (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) added 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Scranton hit 8 of 28 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range and was 9-for-12 (75 percent) from the free throw line. The Royals committed just 11 turnovers. The loss was the first for Scranton in the seven-year history of the Cross-County Challenge. The Royals are 13-1 all-time in the event.

Wilkes finished the afternoon 18-for-49 (36.7 percent) from the field, including 4-for-17 (23.5 percent) from 3-point range. The Colonels hit 12 of 17 free throws (70.6 percent) and dominated on the glass, 42-28. Marcus Robinson finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to earn All-Tournament honors.

The Royals will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 29, when they travel to Radnor, Pa. to take on Cabrini in a non-conference game at 8 p.m.

In Sunday's first game, Marywood defeated King's, 87-80. Jeremy Ringland earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the Cross-County Challenge after finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists, and Donovan Catchings was an All-Tournament selection for Marywood after finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. For King's, Chris Fazzini was named to the All-Tournament team after finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, six steals and two assists.

--ROYALS--