Box Score

The Wilkes University women's basketball team competed in their second game of the new decade on Saturday, traveling to Manhattanville in search of its first win since December 7. After trailing early the Lady Colonels could not mount the comeback necessary to defeat the Valiants, ultimately falling by a score of 71-61.

Wilkes scored the first basket of the game on a layup by Lindsey Gosse (Allentown, Pa./Allen), but Manhattanville quickly responded, taking a 3-2 lead of which they never surrendered. The Valiants established a ten point led halfway through the period, but Wilkes fought to stay in the game, and a layup by Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) brought the Lady Colonels back within seven with three minutes left in the half. Unfortunately, Manhattanville went on an 8-4 run to close out the half, making the score 38-27 in the Valiant's favor at the break.

The Lady Colonels worked on their 11 points deficit early in the second period, narrowing that margin to four less than six minutes into the half on a basket by Gosse. Manhattanville then pulled away once again, going on a 7-0 run to extend its lead back to 11 halfway through the period, 54-43. After exchanging baskets, Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) found Gosse for a jumper to again bring Wilkes to within six points.

Wilkes was able to maintain that six point deficit down the stretch, but a big three by the Valiants up them up by nine with less than three minutes left. Soon after, Gosse, the leading scorer at that time for the Lady Colonels, fouled out. The score stayed at 68-58 for a while before Manhattanvile broke the silence with a basket with a little over a minute left, all but sealing the game for the Valiants. Manhattanville would make free throws down the stretch to win by a score of 71-61.

Wilkes had comparable team statistics to the Valiants, but were out-rebounded by 10 rebounds. The Lady Colonels were led by Gosse with 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Kazmerski chipped in 14 points and four assists. Sam Lynam had six points for Wilkes.

With the defeat, Wilkes falls to 2-11 (0-3) on the season. The Lady Colonels will be back in action next Wednesday when they host Eastern University. That game will begin at 6:00 p.m.