WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's basketball team defeated Marywood University 70-59 in its home opener at the Marts Center behind a first career double-double by Catey McFadden (Doylestown, PA/Archbishop Wood) as part of the second annual Cross County Challenge Friday night.

The Lady Colonels moved to 1-1 on the season while Marywood stands at 0-1.

Wilkes was the aggressor in the game and was awarded with 38 trips to the free-throw stripe where the Lady Colonels converted 26 of them. Alyssa Alfano (Dunmore, PA/Holy Cross) led the way going 9-of-10 on her free-throws.

Wilkes built its largest lead of the opening 10 minutes and led 17-10 when Sierra Smith (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) hit a three-pointer as the horn sounded to end the first quarter.

An Alfano layup after a steal by Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) put the Lady Colonels ahead 26-16 with 4:21 left in the second quarter. Alfano then found Smicherko for a layup as Wilkes pushed the lead to 29-18 a minute later. The Pacers would close on an 8-3 run but the Lady Colonels went into the halftime break with a 32-26 lead.

The Lady Colonels started the third quarter on an 11-2 run capped off by a Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) layup to make the score 43-28. At the end of the third Wilkes led 54-43 after Roberts made a jumper with nine seconds to go.

Alfano knocked down a three-pointer with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter to build the Lady Colonel lead back to 11 points at 61-50. A steal and fast break layup by Emily Sofranko (Jim Thorpe, PA/Marian Catholic) and three-pointer by McFadden on back-to-back possessions pushed the lead to 12 points with 2:46 remaining.

McFadden led Wilkes with 18 points and 10 rebounds which were both career-best numbers for the senior. Alfano added 14 points and tied career-highs with five rebounds and four assists. Smith had a career-high six points and three rebounds.

Sofranko scored 12 points, Roberts added eight, and Smicherko scored seven points and contributed four rebounds, three steals, and one block in her second collegiate game.

Erika Bistran led Marywood with 14 points.

Wilkes held a 41-40 advantage in rebounding and led 21-9 on points off turnovers.

The Lady Colonels face No. 19/13 Scranton (1-0) tomorrow to close out the Cross County Challenge at 4:00 p.m. The Lady Royals defeated King's College (1-1) 64-52 in the first game at the Marts Center Friday night.