MIDDLETOWN, PA – The Wilkes University women's basketball team earned its third victory of the season, 67-64, after holding off a late rally by host Penn State Harrisburg in a non-conference matchup at the Capital Union Building Saturday afternoon.

Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) connected on a clutch three-pointer with 32 seconds left in the game to stop an 8-0 run by the Lions and restore the Colonels lead to seven points at 66-59. After a Lions three and two free throws Penn State cut the lead to 66-64 with 18 seconds left but then Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross) made 1-of-2 free throws with 16 seconds on the clock and the Wilkes defense withstood two game-tying three-point attempts by the Lions in the closing seconds for the win.

With the road victory Wilkes improved its record to 3-5 while Penn State Harrisburg dropped to 4-4.

Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove) had a strong opening quarter for Wilkes as the senior posted eight points including a layup before the buzzer. Wilkes led 21-13 and shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the floor after the first 10 minutes.

A Jordan Harrison (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest Area) layup put the Colonels ahead by 12 points, 27-15, at the 6:19 mark of the second quarter before the Lions rallied with a 14-0 run in just over two minutes to take a 29-27 lead with 3:56 left until halftime. Giordano answered with a long ball on the next possession to restore the Wilkes lead and the Wilkes defense shutdown Penn State over the remainder of the quarter as the Colonels entered halftime up 32-29.

Alyssa Alfano (Dunmore, PA/Holy Cross) and Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) provided Wilkes with a strong offensive third quarter. Alfano hit a three and Smicherko finished a three-point play with a free throw to push Wilkes ahead 38-29 just over two minutes into the third. Another Smicherko bucket-and-the-foul made the score 45-34 at the 5:20 mark of the quarter. Alfano's layup with 1:08 left gave the Colonels their largest lead of 14 points at 53-39. The junior guard scored 12 points in the third quarter as Wilkes led 53-43 entering the final 10 minutes of play.

A made jumper by Kelley with 2:51 left in the game provided Wilkes with a 63-51 lead before Penn State Harrisburg made their last push.

Alfano led Wilkes with 15 points and six rebounds while Caster added 14 points and seven rebounds. Kelley had nine points and a season-high seven rebounds while Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) also added nine points. Giordano finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and four assists and Smicherko registered a career-best eight points.

Wilkes was strong on the glass, holding a 44-25 rebounding advantage. The Colonels shot 49 percent (25-of-51) while Penn State Harrisburg shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58) from the field. Wilkes held a 34-16 advantage in points in the paint and 14-4 margin in second chance points to help them to the victory.

The Lions made 11 threes compared to three for the Colonels to stay in the game. Shanique Mattis scored 23 points and hit five three-pointers. Kendis Butler (14) and Anna Mahan (12) also scored in double figures for the Lions.

The Colonels open Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom play on Wednesday, December 5 when they host Misericordia University at the Marts Center at 8:00 p.m.