WILKES-BARRE – Host Wilkes University kept things close throughout trailing by just four points late in the fourth quarter only to see Eastern University rattle off seven straight points in a key stretch on way to a 66-56 MAC Freedom victory Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center.
 
With the defeat Wilkes fell to 4-10 overall and 0-4 in league games. Eastern improved to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in MAC Freedom contests.
 
Eastern raced out to an 11-4 lead midway through the first quarter before the Lady Colonels began to fight back into the contest. A three-pointer from Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) followed by three free throws from Alyssa Alfano (Dunmore, PA/Holy Cross) brought Wilkes to within one at 11-10. Two possessions later, Catey McFadden (Doylestown, PA/Archbishop Wood)'s long three-pointer gave Wilkes its first lead of the game with 2:14 left in the opening stanza. Eastern added a three-pointer of its own just before the quarter buzzer sounded taking a slim 14-13 advantage after on frame.
 
Eastern used the long ball to extend its lead over the first five minutes of the second quarter as Ashley Riiff drilled her third straight three-pointer with 4:20 on the clock as the Eagles led 30-21. Two buckets from Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove) and two free throws from Missy Oertner (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland) kept Wilkes within striking distance down 33-27 at the half.
 
The Eagles used a 10-2 run to start the third quarter to push the advantage to 45-29 with 5:14 on the clock. Wilkes battled back using buckets from Haley Mesaros (Royersford, PA/Pope John Paul II) and Emelie Meinhart (Bowmanstown, PA/Palmerton) to cut the lead to 51-41 after three.
 
Emily Sofranko (Jim Thorpe, PA/Marian Catholic) opened the final frame with a transition score followed by two free throws from Oertner to bring the Lady Colonels to within five at 51-46. A three-pointer from Oertner two minutes later moved Wilkes to within four, but seven straight Eastern points over the next four minutes put the game out of reach as the visiting Eagles escaped with a road MAC Freedom victory.
 
Oertner led all Wilkes scorers with 11 points and three assists. Alfano came off the bench to contribute 10 points including a 6-for-7 performance from the foul line after aggressive drives to the basket. Caster, Roberts and Mesaros each added eight points for Wilkes.
 
Taylor Price topped Eastern with a  game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. Riiff added 13 points including the three three-pointers while Regie Robinson finished with 13 points and six boards.
 
Wilkes continues its MAC Freedom schedule Wednesday traveling to DeSales University for a 6:00 p.m. matchup in Center Valley, Pa.