box score
Chris DeRojas seemed like he hit from everywhere on the court from long-range three-pointers to floating runners in the lane as he poured in 30 points to lead Wilkes University to a 71-65 win over Lebanon Valley.
DeRojas hit 11-of-15 shots from the field, including 6-of-8 from behind the three-point line, one away from his career-best. He had a near perfect game as he was 2-for-2 at the line with two rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.
The Colonels jumped out to 25-4 lead over the first 11 minutes of the game, their largest of the game, thanks to 14 missed shots out of 16 attempts by the Dutchmen. Lebanon Valley, who came into the game with six-straight losses, was able to cut the lead to four (29-25) with 2:35 to go in the half thanks to a 21-4 run of its own. It was a turn of misfortune for Wilkes, which shot 1-for-9 over a seven minute stretch.
Wilkes would go into the game with a 34-27 advantage.
Both teams exchanged buckets to start the second half before the Colonels jumped out to a 41-31 lead with 16:49 to go after DeRojas drained a three-pointer from the top of the arc. Lebanon Valley would claw back to a five-point deficit before the Colonels used another 5-0 run to lead 48-38.
The lead would not last for long as Zach Kebetz nailed a three-pointer with 11:49 to go to make the score 48-45, but they would come no closer the rest of the way.
The Colonels would hold at least a four-point lead the rest of the way until a 6-0 run with 2:22 to go capped off with a pair of free throws by DeRojas gave them a 65-55 lead which proved to be the difference in the game.
Wilkes improved to 11-7 overall after shooting nearly 45 percent from the field while out-rebounding Lebanon Valley 37-30. The Colonels will be back in action Saturday when they head to Madison, N.J. to take on FDU-Florham in Freedom Conference action.