Kocak Scores 19 at Wilkes
WILKES-BARRE, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team suffered a 67-43 defeat on the road to Wilkes University, Wednesday evening in Landmark Conference action.
Ty Kocak led the way with 16 points, four steals, two rebounds and an assist. Joe Bruce contributed eight points, three rebounds and an assist. Jaiden Aze added five points, eight rebounds and an assist off the bench.
Bruce found Malcolm Griffith for layup to open the scoring. The Colonels scored the next seven points, before Tre Yawn found Noah Bailey for a three. A foul shot from Aze and a Kocak layup made it 11-9.
Later, a Bilger putback cut the deficit to three, 17-14. The Colonels outscored Juniata 9-4 down the stretch as the Eagles left the floor down 26-18 at the half.
Wilkes exploded out of the gate with a 14-0 run in the first six minutes of the second half to lead 40-18. Bailey nailed a jumper off an Aze assist to break the seal for JC, but they couldn't narrow the gap closer than 15.
Wilkes had a 47-30 advantage on the glass, while Juniata had a 15-12 edge in points off turnovers.
Juniata will travel to Philadelphia to take on Goucher at the Palestra, on the campus of The University of Pennsylvania Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00.