Box Score

The Wilkes University women's basketball team hosted Susquehanna on Wednesday, losing 55-40 after witnessing an early 17-6 lead dissipate behind a 18-0 Crusader run.

Wilkes jumped out to an early lead behind a quick start by freshman forward Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer), who had nine of the team's first 11 points. After a layup by Lindsey Gosse (Allentown, Pa./Allen) in the ninth minute, the Crusaders would mount an 18-0 run over the next seven minutes, putting the score at 24-17 with 2:23 left to play in the half. The two teams would then exchange buckets, with the score 28-21 in favor of Susquehanna going into the break.

Kazmerski ended up with 11 points to lead the Lady Colonels in the half, while Gosse added four points and four rebounds.

In the second half Susquehanna would never surrender its lead despite multiple runs by the Lady Colonels. Five minutes into the period Sam Lynam hit a long three-pointer to bring the deficit to just two points, but the Crusaders would piece together a string of baskets to pull ahead by 11 with ten minutes left.

Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) hit a three in the sixth minute on a pass from Brittany Ely (Montrose, Pa./Montrose) to pull Wilkes back into the game and make the score 41-36 in favor of the Crusaders, but once again free throws and layups by Susquehanna kept the Lady Colonels from ever taking the lead. The game ended with Susquehanna's largest lead, 55-40.

Kazmerski was the main offensive threat for Wilkes in the contest, scoring 15 points on seven baskets and pulling down seven rebounds, while Lynam chipped in 11 points on four buckets.

The Crusaders were led by Rachael Hughes with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

With the loss the Lady Colonels fall to 2-7 on the season, but are back in action this weekend at the Elizabethtown tournament when they take on Shenandoah on Friday, Dec. 11. That game will begin at 8:00 p.m.