Colonels Fend Off Eagles
WILKES-BARRE, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team fell at Wilkes University, 65-54, Saturday afternoon at the Arnaud Marts Sports Center.
Tyler Lapetina led the way with 12 points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals, while Ayden Hurley added 10 points, a rebound, and a steal off the bench. Malcolm Griffith tallied eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Mason Hardy had eight points, three rebounds, four steals, and an assist. Melchizedek Jonah chipped in with seven points, two rebounds, and an assist.
The Eagles led by five midway through the first half, but the Colonels got going offensively in the final nine minutes and surged ahead. A Hardy layup in the final five seconds pulled Juniata back within seven, and the score was 36-29 at the break.
Buckets from Hardy and Jayden Bilger early in the second half brought Juniata within five early, but the Colonels slowly extended their lead. Another Hardy jumper and later a Hurley triple off a Griffith assist with just under five to pay cut the deficit to eight. But Juniata couldn't get closer the rest of the way.
JC had a 25-6 advantage in points off the bench, while Wilkes held a 34-20 edge in points in the paint
Juniata returns to action Wednesday at home against Lycoming. Tipoff is at 7:00 pm.