Men's hoops falls to Plymouth State, 86-78 in Cobblestone title game

November 18, 2006

PLYMOUTH, NH- The Wheaton College men's basketball team fell for the first time this season with an 86-78 loss at Plymouth State University on Saturday in Foley Gymnasium during the championship game of the Cobblestone Inn Tip-Off Tournament. The Lyons dropped to 1-1, while the Panthers improved to 2-0.

Junior Chris Wilkinson's (Newmarket, NH/Newmarket) hoop with 17:05 remaining in the first half gave the hosts the lead for good, as their advantage floated around 10 points until late in regulation. The Lyons chiseled the Panthers' lead from 75-67 at 5:08 down to 75-71 by 3:23 after senior Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA/Dracut) finished off a pair of two-free throw possessions.

Zukowski, who was named to the all-tournament team following the game, assisted on junior Eric Johnston's (South Windsor, CT/East Catholic) hoop that kept the Lyons within four at the 1:51 mark, but the Panthers went 9-of-11 from the charity stripe during the final 1:22 to ice the game.

Zukowski finished as the team's high scorer for the second time in as many games this season, notching 17 on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with five assists and four rebounds. Johnston hit 6-of-12 shots for 15 points, while sophomore Kristopher Pedra (Avon, CT/Avon) was 5-of-11 for 11 points. Junior Brent DiGiovanna (Hanover, MA/Hanover) added 10 points.

The hosts were buoyed by 11 three-pointers on 24 attempts, while Wilkinson led Plymouth State's offensive charge with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Sophomore Ben Huntington (Hampstead, NH/Pinkerton Academy) posted 19 points and six assists, while junior Phil Bourassa (Old Orchard Beach, ME/Biddeford) notched 10 points and six helpers. Senior Devin Ruocco (Dover, NH/Dover) added 14 points while canning four three-pointers and contributed eight rebounds.

Wheaton breaks from action until Tuesday, November 28, when the Lyons travel to Salve Regina University for an 8:00 p.m. contest.

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Upcoming Schedule

15-Nov Sat Centenary (NJ) N 7:30pm
16-Nov Sun Plymouth St. Tip-Off A TBA
18-Nov Tue Salve Regina A 7:00pm