WILKES-BARRE – Visiting DeSales University used a big second half outscoring host Wilkes University 40-20 over the final two quarters on way to a 69-46 victory Wednesday night at the Marts Center.
 
Wilkes falls to 4-18 overall and 1-10 in league play following the loss while DeSales improved to 17-5 overall and remains atop the conference at 10-1.
 
DeSales opened an early eight point lead after one quarter of play before the Lady Colonels began to chip away at the advantage. A three-point play from Cara Basile (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) followed by a deep three-pointer from the senior pulled Wilkes to within five. Catey McFadden (Doylestown, PA/Archbishop Wood) added a triple to cut the deficit to 22-20 with just 3:09 left before the half. On DeSales ensuing possession, Emily Sofranko (Jim Thorpe, PA/Marian Catholic) jumped the passing lane at the top of the key and darted down the court to tie the game at 22-22 with a transition layup with 2:15 on the clock. Seven straight points from the Bulldogs capped off by a three-pointer with :37 left put DeSales up 29-26 at the break.
 
DeSales used a big second half outscoring Wilkes 40-20 over the final two quarters of play. A 10-0 run midway through the third started the Bulldog rally followed by a 14-2 stretch that pushed the lead to twenty points late in the fourth.
 
Basile led the Wilkes attack with 16 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the free throw line. Emily Sutton (Shavertown, PA/Lake Lehman) and McFadden each finished with six points and combined for 12 rebounds.
 
Morgan McCollian topped three Bulldogs in double figures with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. She added 11 rebounds for the double-double. Jen Napolitano followed with 14 points while Kaitlin Kelly added 11 points.
 
Wilkes travels to Doylestown, Pa. Saturday for a MAC Freedom matchup at Delaware Valley University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.