Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - The Arcadia University men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the new campaign at Wilkes University, 97-93, in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
Da'Kquan Davis led the way with a season-high 36 points, while shooting 50-percent from the floor (12-for-24).
Jalen Watkins continued to provide key production off the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while
Justin Money reached double-figures for consecutive nights with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a tightly-contested 10-minutes to open the contest,
DJ Gardner helped the Knights gain separation with back-to-back layups following a Money three-pointer to pull ahead by seven points. Watkins then drained a couple free throws to cap off a 9-0 run, which provided the Knights with their largest lead of the opening half, 24-15.
- The Colonels battled back and trimmed their deficit to two points after a three-pointer with 3:40 remaining in the first half. The Knights were able to regain separation with a pair of free throws on back-to-back possessions from
Jacob Walsh, 33-27. Arcadia ended the quarter with a six point advantage after a fast break jumper from Davis in the final seconds of play, 41-35.
- Early in the second half, Davis brought the Knights' lead back to a game-high nine points with a three-pointer, but the Colonels responded with a 7-0 stretch to cut their deficit down to two points, 46-44. Wilkes regained the lead after consecutive buckets with 13:41 remaining in regulation. Moments later, the Knights stormed back with three-pointers from Gardner and Walsh to pull ahead by six points, 60-54.
- Both teams traded buckets in the closing minutes of regulation. After Wilkes took a three point lead with 1:21 remaining, Davis took charge and knocked down consecutive buckets to give the Knights a one-point lead, 84-83. In Wilkes' final possession, the Colonels split a pair of free throws to send the game to overtime.
- Arcadia took an early four-point advantage in overtime, but the Colonels quickly responded with a pair of three-pointers to pull ahead. Wilkes then went 3-for-4 from the foul line in their next two possessions to cap off a 9-1 run and pull ahead by four points, 93-89, with 1:14 remaining. Davis tried to bring the Knights back with two pairs of free throws in the closing minute, but the Colonels four-point advantage held strong.
KNIGHT LEADERS
- Points: Davis 36, Watkins 14, Money 12
- Assists: Davis 5
- Rebounds: Watkins 7
- Blocks: Watkins/Walsh 2
- Steals: Walsh 2
TEAM COMPARISON
- Both teams shot over 50-percent from the floor with the Colonels holding a slim 53.6 to 50.0 advantage.
- Arcadia continued its stellar foul shooting with a combined 93.1 percent (27-for-29) from the charity stripe, while Wilkes shot 84.4 percent (27-for-32).
- Wilkes had a strong performance from long range - shooting 66.7 percent (10-for-15) compared to the Knights 47.1 percent (8-for-17).
UP NEXT
The Knights (3-1) return to action against DeSales University on Thursday night in Alumni Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
