The Wilkes University men’s basketball team’s season came to a close on Saturday night after a heartbreaking loss in the Landmark Conference championship to sixth-ranked Susquehanna, 76-72.

The Colonels finished their season 18-10 and runner-up in the Landmark after beating Elizabethtown and Catholic as the fourth-ranked team in the playoffs. 

Eli Becker led the Colonels with 18 points, while Lucas Lesko and Colin Ackerman followed behind with 17 and 14 points each, respectively. 

The first half was very back and forth. Wilkes took a 12-8 lead with over 14 minutes left in the half. Susquehanna would take the lead back after going on a 7-0 run.

Lesko hit a three pointer as time expired in the half to give the Colonels a 35-32 lead at halftime. 

Wilkes would come out of the break strong, going on an offensive tear, leading 50-39 at one point.

With just over four minutes left in the game, Susquehanna went on a 14-0 run, turning a 66-58 deficit into 72-66 lead with a little over a minute to go. The Colonels came close to finding a tying basket, but were squandered by the Riverhawk defense. 

Audric Washington led the Riverhawks with 21 points on the night,  Brandon Lavitt and Seamus Rodgers following up with 15 and nine points. 

With the win, Susquehanna punches their ticket to the first round of the NCAA Division III national tournament.