Steve Finkernagel

WILKES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS FREEDOM PLAY HOSTING MISERICORDIA

11/28/2011 1:30:00 PM

(Complete Game Notes)

WILKES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS FREEDOM PLAY HOSTING MISERICORDIA

Wilkes Lady Colonels (3-1) vs. Misericordia Cougars (1-3)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 6:00 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre, PA / Marts Center

Live Stats

Live Audio (Play-by-Play: Trevor Turner)

AT A GLANCE
Wilkes is back in action after an eight-day break during the Thanksgiving holiday as the Lady Colonels welcome Misericordia University in both teams' 2011-12 Freedom Conference opener. Misericordia swept the season series last year taking a 78-46 win in Dallas, Pa. before posting a 69-55 victory in the Marts Center in early February.

LAST TIME OUT
Wilkes suffered their first loss of the 2011-12 campaign falling at Marywood University 68-45 in Scranton, Pa. last Tuesday. The Lady Colonels were led by Sr. G Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) (Liberty, PA/Liberty) who had 15 points, shooting 6-for-9 from the field. Connolly also added two assists and one rebound. Fr. F Ginny Edwards (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) led the squad with 11 total rebounds, seven defensive and four offensive. Edwards also had three blocks on the night.

Jr. G Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) filled up the box score recording five points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) ran the Lady Colonel offense finishing with four helpers bringing her season assist total to 23 on the year. Wilkes was slowed by a season-high 28 turnovers in the loss.

WHO'S BACK
Wilkes returns four players from a season ago, including two of its top three scorers in Jr. G Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) and Sr. G Whitney Connelly. Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) and Jr. G Angela Palmerio (Telford, PA/Lansdale Catholic) are also back combining for 27 starts last season in the Lady Colonel backcourt.

Sr. G W. Connolly                    Jr. G A. Palmerio
Jr. G M. Kazmerski                     Jr. G A. Pawlowski

THE CAPTAINS
The Lady Colonels are captained by Sr. G Whitney Connelly and Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer).

Connolly brings her all-around game back to the Lady Colonels for her final season, as she has 78 games and 52 starts under her belt. For the season, Connolly averages 9.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg shooting 69.2 percent (9-13) from the charity stripe.

Pawlowski, a junior captain, is also one of the most experienced Lady Colonels. Playing in 53 career games earning 52 starts, she has logged over 1,495 minutes on the court for Wilkes. Pawlowski is the floor general for Wilkes averaging 5.8 apg through four contests.

THE SCORER
Kazmerski led the Lady Colonels in scoring as a freshman scoring 11.5 ppg in her 26.6 mpg of action, then followed that ranking second on the team last year at 11.4 ppg in 31.1 mpg of play. She hit double figures 19 times during the season, including the final seven contests. With a 34.3 FG%, Kazmerski went 111-324 from the floor and also led the team with 7.5 rpg, including 153 defensive boards (6.1 pg).

Kazmerski jumped out to a quick start this season averaging 10.0 ppg and a team-best 7.0 rpg. She registered her first double-double of the year pouring in 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the win at Keystone two weeks ago.

ALL-AROUND
One of the most versatile players for the Lady Colonels, Connelly has been a major contributor on both ends of the floor this season.

Connelly, the lone senior on this year's squad, has taken a large leadership role for Wilkes in the backcourt. She averages 9.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg starting all four contests at shooting guard for Wilkes. She possesses the ability to break down defenders and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Connolly has hit 42.4 percent (14-33) of her shots from the field in 21.0 mpg.

RUNNING THE POINT
A 23-game starter as a sophomore last year, Pawlowski returns to the point for the Lady Colonels this year. Pawlowski registered four or more assists in every contest thus far this season for Wilkes. For the season, she is averaging 3.3 points, 5.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per-contest.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Misericordia enters their Freedom opener standing 1-3 overall after falling to Lycoming College 61-50 last Tuesday.

Reigning Freedom Conference Player of the Year senior forward Christine Marks is back for the Cougars averaging 19.8 ppg and 9.5 rpg. Junior point guard Tyann McDaniel follows with 11.0 ppg, 3. rpg, and 5.0 apg. Senior guard Jesse Robinson adds 9.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 36.5 minutes per-game.

The Cougars average 61.5 point per-game while allowing 64.0 points per-contest.

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