Scranton, Wilkes Win Cross County Challenge Finales
Marywood's Pierre Bakinde had a double-double in a loss to Wilkes Tuesday

Scranton, Wilkes Win Cross County Challenge Finales

Men's Basketball - 1/3/2012 9:01:00 PM

Box Scores
Wilkes 89, Marywood 70
Scranton 62, King's 47

Scranton, PA - The University of Scranton and Wilkes University both used hot early shooting en route to victories in day two of the inaugural PNC Bank Cross County Challenge Tuesday evening at Marywood's Insalaco Arena.  The Colonels (7-4) defeated the host Pacers (4-8) 89-70 in the opener before the Royals (8-4) downed the Monarchs (6-6) 62-47 in the Championship game.  Scranton was named the tournament champions after finishing the round-robin tournament as the only unbeaten team with a 2-0 mark.  Wilkes and King's went 1-1 as they both earned victories over Marywood.

In Tuesday night's opener, Wilkes raced out to a 12-4 lead in the opening 3:54 after making their first four three point attempts, three of which came from the hot-hand of Matt Mullins.  The Colonels would stretch that lead to 23-4 after going 2-of-3 from behind the arc over the next 1:38 and eventually would be up 19 at the break, 43-24. 

Marywood tried to make the game interesting in the second half and eventually got back to within eight with around ten minutes remaining, but the Colonels once again kept the Pacers at bay with the long ball.  For the game, Wilkes hit 11 of 19 three-point attempts (57.9%).  Paul Huch led the Colonels with 29 points on 13 of 16 shooting from the floor.  Mulins finished the game 7 of 10 from long-range and Kendall Hinze (14 points) and Jourdon Wilson (11 points) both reached double-digits. 

Marywood was led by Brent Keyes who had  team-high 23 points on 8 of 15 shooting.  Tyrone Baker and Shane Kellaher each had 12 while Pierre Bakinde completed a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 boards.

With both teams winning their openers Monday evening, the Scranton-King's game determined the Championship of the inaugural PNC Bank Cross County Challenge.  Scranton was hot from the floor early just as Wilkes was against Marywood, and the Royals jumped out to a 12-4 lead and never looked back en route to the 15-point win (62-47). 

Tommy Morgan and Travis Farrell each had double-doubles with identical 17 point, 10 rebound performances to lead a balanced Royals attack.  Kyle Hammonds was the lone Monarch to reach double-figures with a team-high 14 points. 

Scranton limited King's to just 33% shooting from the floor on the night and a 19% mark from long-range.  The Royals did not fair much better percentage wise as they hit 36% from the floor and just under 21% from three-point land. 

Marywood returns to action Saturday when they travel to Rosemont College to resume CSAC play.
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