HUNTINGDON, PA – Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross) combined to score 32 points for the Wilkes University women's basketball team but host Juniata College made 14 three-pointers to win the non-conference contest 89-63 Monday night at Memorial Gymnasium.

Wilkes dropped to 2-5 overall with the road loss while Juniata moved to 2-3.

The Eagles began the game hot out of the gates with five first-quarter threes as the Colonels found themselves behind 26-15 as the opening 10 minutes ticked down. Giordano calmly hit a buzzer-beating three from the top of the arc to send the game into its first break with Wilkes trailing 26-18.

Juniata extended its lead to 18 points at 39-21 but Wilkes battled back with a 14-2 second-quarter run. Kelley capped off the scoring run for the Colonels with a three-pointer as the score stood at 41-35 with 3:52 left until halftime. The Eagles closed the second quarter strong though to extend their lead back to double digits at 49-36 after 20 minutes of play.

Wilkes was unable to mount a serious run in the third or fourth quarters as Juniata stayed in control throughout. The hosts led 69-48 after three quarters and extended its lead over the final 10 minutes to as many as 29 points.

Kelley recorded a career-high 18 points and was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Giordano recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sierra Smith (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) went 3-for-3 from the field for a season-high eight points. Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove) scored six points while Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) added four points and was second on the team with five rebounds.

The Colonels were able to score in transition, leading in fast-break points 12-2 and also held a 32-20 points in the paint advantage.

Kaeana Rebert led Juniata with 18 points including four three-pointers. Cassie Mock also added four threes and 14 points. Also in doubles figures were Gracie Stauffer with 15 points and Grace Long with 13 points.

Wilkes returns to the court this weekend when the Colonels travel to Middletown, Pa. to face Penn State Harrisburg for a 1:00 p.m. Saturday non-conference matchup.