MBB: Wilkes drops Penn State Hazleton in 83-58 rout
Mark Mullins (#12) blocking the shooter’s shot, defending the ball as well are Marcus Robinson (#10) and Mason Gross (#35).
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The Wilkes University Colonels opened their season at home Wednesday night as they beat Penn State Hazleton by a score of 83-58. The Colonels come into the season with high expectations after a season where they finished one game under .500 with a 12-13 record.
Last season, the Colonels leading scorer was Marcus Robinson, who averaged 15.2 points per game. Robinson will need to have a greater impact this season in order for his team to have success.
Game one for the Colonels was a coming out party for Wilkes’ Robert Pecorelli. Early on, Pecorelli lit the scoresheet up with eight points to start the game. Luckily for the Colonels, Pecorelli continued to play well scoring 23 points while Robinson struggled, making just 2-of-9 threes and 2-of-11 from the field. Jack Bova also surprised many coming off the bench and scoring 13 points in the first half.
The PSU Hazleton Nittany Lions struggled through most of this game as they missed a multitude of high percentage shots and turned the ball over too many times. Even with mistakes, the Colonels only led this game by one as halftime neared, but the Colonels used depth to their advantage and their fresh legs helped leave the Nittany Lions in the dust.
The Colonels are back in action Saturday as they head to Elizabethtown College, in Elizabethtown Pa., as they look to add another non-conference to their resume.
Wilkes (1-0) 83, Penn State Hazleton (1-2) 58
PSU Hazleton (58) — Shay Nelson 4 2-3 10, Robbie Hopkins 4 0-0 9, Nick Nowak 3 3-3 9, Brandon Mohammed 3 3-6 9, Christopher Adames 4 1-2 9, Royce Brathwaite 2 3-4 8, Matt Manbeck 1 0-0 2, Raul Geronimo, 1 0-0 2, Jonte Washington 0 0-0 0, Ryan Wolfe 0 0-0 0, Kaellen Henderson 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 12-18 58.
Wilkes (83) — Pecorelli 7 4-4 23, Bova 5 0-0 13, Mark Mullins 2 4-5 8, Robinson 2 1-2 7, Cooper Chaffee 3 1-2 7, John Goffredo 2 0-0 6, Mason Gross 3 0-0 6, Tommy Bowen 2 0-0 5, Landon Henry 1 0-0 3, Clay Basalyga 1 0-0 3, Zach Brunner 1 0-0 2, Zach Walser 0 0-0 0, Johnny Bamford 0 0-0 0, Noah Jackson 0 0-0 0, Andre Spurell 0 0-0 0, Derek Heiserman 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 20-30 83.
PSU Hazleton`27`31`—`58
Wilkes`43`40`—`83
Three-point goals — Penn State Hazleton, Hopkins, Brathwaite. Wilkes, Pecorelli (5), Bova (3), Robinson (2), Goffredo (2), Bowen, Henry, Basalyga.
Ben Mandell is currently the co-sports editor. Mandell began as a staff writer in Fall 2017, promoted to assistant editor in Spring 2018 and was promoted...