Wilkes Women's Basketball Falls in MAC Freedom Opener to Misericordia 78-54
WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's basketball team opened Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play with a 78-54 defeat to Misericordia University, a team currently receiving votes in the national polls, at the Marts Center on Wednesday evening.
The Colonels fell to 0-1 in conference and 3-6 overall.
Neither team was able to gain more than a four-point advantage in the first quarter as Misericordia led 16-12 after 10 minutes.
The Cougars began the second quarter on a 5-2 run to extend their lead to 21-14 with 8:34 left in the first half. Wilkes found itself down by 11 following a layup to make the score 27-16 and 3:33 showing on the scoreboard. Both teams tallied eight points the remainder of the half, as Misericordia entered the break with a 33-24 advantage.
The Colonels came out to start the third quarter on fire with a 14-6 run cutting the deficit one to one at 39-38 following a Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross) three-pointer, however Wilkes was unable to take the lead. The Cougars finished the quarter outscoring the Colonels 16-12, holding a 55-47 lead as the buzzer sounded.
Misericordia began the final 10 minutes on an 11-4 run, reaching a 15-point advantage at 66-51 with just over seven minutes showing on the clock. The Cougars maintained the momentum as the fourth quarter advanced, finishing the game on a 15-3 run to reach the final horn.
Wilkes was led by Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke), who finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) added 12 points and four rebounds while Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove) contributed nine points and five rebounds.
Japriya Carroll led Misericordia with 18 points to go with four rebounds. Rachel Carmody (12 points, nine rebounds) and Paige Wampole (10 points, 10 rebounds) finished in double figures for the Cougars.
The Colonels return to action on Saturday when they travel to Manhattanville College for a 1:00 p.m. MAC Freedom game
