NEW CONCORD, Ohio - Muskingum University jumped out to a double-digit lead early in the first half and held on to defeat the Wilmington College men's basketball team 69-63 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action on Wednesday evening.

Andrew Clark opened the game with a layup, and after Luken Hill tied the game on Muskingum's first possession, Abdul Kanu connected from deep to give the Quakers a 5-2 lead. Unfortunately for the visitors, the Muskies went on a 16-2 run over five minutes to build a double-digit advantage.

Wilmington stayed within striking distance, however, as the Quakers locked down on defense and didn't allow a point over the final 3:47 of the half. During that time, WC scored the final six points of the half to go into the locker room down 33-29.

The break didn't stop the Quaker run as, after a Kanu free throw, Jayden Lewis intercepted a pass and converted a layup to get within a point. WC would take a brief 44-43 lead on a Lucas Doty layup at the 14:02 mark, but Muskingum answered with a 15-4 run to go back up double digits. One more time, the visitors got back to within a basket (59-57) and had three possessions to tie or take the lead, but Duane Davis hit a triple to put the hosts ahead by five. Muskingum hit free throws down the stretch to earn its first victory of the season.

Wilmington made one more field goal (23-22) with both teams connected on nine triples. Both teams also shot exactly 61.5 percent from the free throw line, but the Muskies doubled the Quakers in attempts (26-13) and makes (16-8).

Hill led Muskingum with 19 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double while Logan Stotzer added 10 points. Davis nearly had a double-double off the bench with nine points and 10 rebounds. For Wilmington, Kanu poured in 20 points with 13 rebounds while Clark scored 10. Izaiah Cathey tallied a season-high eight points off the bench.

The Quakers continue OAC play at John Carroll University on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.