WILKES-BARRE – Visiting King's College connected on a season-high 14 three-pointers using a flurry of long range shots to break open a close game late in the third quarter on way to a 78-61 MAC Freedom victory over Wilkes University Tuesday night at the Marts Center.
 
Wilkes fell to 5-19 overall and 0-13 in MAC Freedom games while King's improved to 5-18 overall and 3-13 in league contests.
 
Wilkes jumped out to a 10-1 lead over the first three minutes of the first quarter using back-to-back three-pointers from Missy Oertner (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland) and Catey McFadden (Doylestown, PA/Archbishop Wood) as well as two free throws from Haley Mesaros (Royersford, PA/Pope John Paul II). Oertner connected on another corner trey to push the score to 13-3 just two minutes later. King's battled back hitting two three-pointers on its own over the final two minutes of the frame before Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove)'s two free throws kept Wilkes ahead 18-12 after one quarter of play.
 
King's used an 8-0 run over the first three minutes of the second quarter to take its first lead of the contest up 20-18 following a Kayla Feairheller three-pointer. The teams traded baskets before Mesaors drilled another three-pointer and Emelie Meinhart (Bowmanstown, PA/Palmerton) converted a layup inside to cut the King's advantage to 25-24 with two minutes left until the break. Another three-pointer from King's and a transition score put the visitors ahead 31-24 at the half.
 
Wilkes kept close with scores from Oertner and another long three-pointer from Mesaros midway through the third quarter trailing by just two, 40-38. Mesaros continued her career day nailing her fourth trey on the ensuing possession giving Wilkes a 41-40 lead with 4:52 left in the stanza. King's responded from that point forward outscoring the Lady Colonels 10-1 over the final three minutes to take back the advantage up 55-46 after three periods of play.
 
The King's lead would continue to grow as the Lady Monarchs used the deep ball to do its damage hitting on back-to-back three pointers after a flurry of transition scores. Wilkes tried one last time to climb back into the game late in the fourth, but two free throws from McFadden and another score from Mesaros was not enough as King's kept pace hitting 6-of-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch to seal the road conference victory.
 
Mesaros enjoyed a stellar night shooting from behind the arc finishing 4-for-5 from deep and 8-of-8 from the foul line for a career-high 24 points and six rebounds. Oertner tied her career-high with 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting adding seven rebounds and one steal. McFadden contributed nine points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
King's was paced by Erin Schmidt's 22 points (6-for-12 from long range) and nine rebounds off the bench. Rebecca Prociak added 11 points and six boards while Kayla Dillinger chipped in 10 points and three caroms.
 
Wilkes closes out the season Saturday traveling to Eastern University for a MAC Freedom matchup scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in St. Davids, Pa.