Box Score
THE LADY COLONELS EARNED THEIR FIRST FREEDOM WIN OVER MANHATTANVILLE, 89-74
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes women's basketball team defeated Manhattanville Saturday afternoon from the Marts Center to earn their first victory in the Freedom Conference, 89-74.
The Lady Colonels improve to 6-15 on the year and 1-9 in the conference. The Valiants slip to 6-14 on the season and 1-9 in Freedom action.
Manhattanville won the opening tip-off and were first to get on the board. Just a few seconds later Angela Palmerio (Telford, PA/Lansdale Catholic) knocked down a three-pointer to go up 3-2 with 19 and change left on the clock. Both teams went back and forth in the first half. With 9:56 to play a jumper by Ginny Edwards (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) tied the game up at 22 all. A layup by Allison Walsh (Dickson City, PA/Mid Valley) with 51 seconds left put the Lady Colonels up by 11 at the half, 44-33.
In the second half Wilkes took control of the game. Elena Stambone (Jessup, PA/Valley View) kept the the Lady Colonels rolling on the right track as she knocked down back-to-back baskets to put Wilkes up 50-37 with 16:18 left in the game. With 13 minutes on the clock a jumper by Manhattanville's Leah Dagen pulled the Valiants within nine points of Wilkes, 54-45. Wilkes went on a 9-0 run to increase their lead to 16 points on the afternoon. The Valiants did as much as they could to get back into the game but the Lady Colonels were too strong down the stretch. Stambone drilled a shot beyond the arc with 2:45 left to seal the Lady Colonels first victory in the Freedom Conference.
Four Wilkes players reached double figures. Stambone led the way with 21 points and five assists. She went 6-for-7 from the free-throw line. Walsh added 16 points while garnering seven rebounds off the glass.
Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) posted 13 points and Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) had 11 points on the afternoon. Ginny Edwards (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) was the leader on the defensive end with eight rebounds.
For Manhattanville two players were in double figures. Stephanie Vaiano with 13 and Taylor Wilson had 12. Jennifer Mcsharar had 13 boards on the day.
Wilkes is back on the court as they travel to Madison, NJ to take on FDU-Florham Wednesday, February 8th. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
