WILKES-BARRE – Vanessa Whitecavage (Shenandoah, PA/Marian Catholic) went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final 32 seconds of overtime to push the Wilkes University women's basketball team by Eastern University 82-75 Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action.

With the victory Wilkes snapped its 35-game conference losing streak dating back to February 6, 2016 and improved to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in the MAC Freedom. It was the first victory for Wilkes over Eastern since January 13, 2010. Eastern fell to 5-10 overall and 0-4 in the league this season.

After the Eagles made a free throw to push its lead to 74-72 with 1:34 left in the five-minute overtime period Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) converted a layup to tie the score. Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) then got on the floor for a loose ball steal and fed it to Whitecavage who was fouled in the scramble. Whitecavage promptly connected on both free throws to put the Colonels ahead 76-74 with 32 second remaining. On the next possession Whitecavage stole the ball and was fouled again. She sank both at the stripe and followed with another two conversions from the foul line on the next Wilkes possession to push the lead to 80-75 with nine seconds left. Smicherko finished off a perfect ending from the free-throw line for Wilkes with two more makes with two seconds remaining to give the Colonels the 82-75 conference win.

Kendra Smith (Hughesville, PA/Hughesville) got the scoring started in the game at the 8:39 mark of the first quarter with a fast break layup off a feed from Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas). After the Eagles tied the game with two free throws Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross) connected on a jumper and Whitecavage hit a three-pointer as Wilkes went ahead 7-2 at the 7:04 mark. The Colonels stretched their lead to 10 points at 17-7 with 1:19 left in the quarter as Roberts, Smicherko and K. Smith provided the points. Eastern then closed the quarter with six of the final seven points to trail 18-13 after 10 minutes of play.

Eastern used a 7-0 run to take a 28-24 lead with 5:09 left in the second quarter. In all the Eagles outscored the Colonels 21-11 in the second 10-minutes of action to take a 34-29 lead into halftime.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Sierra Smith (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) pushed the Colonels back ahead 42-41 with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter. A layup by Roberts and a three by Giordano capped an 11-0 run for Wilkes as the home side led 47-41 going to the fourth.

A three-pointer by Eastern put the visitors back ahead 52-51 with 6:51 left but Giordano answered on the next possession with a trey of her own to put Wilkes back in front. The lead swung to the Eagles again at the 3:25 mark of the fourth with another long distance make but again Giordano answered back with another triple to tie the score at 61. The senior guard then nailed another from long range with 1:51 left to push Wilkes back ahead 64-61. After the two teams made free throws over the next several possessions the game stood at 66-66 with 47 seconds left. Eastern broke the tie with a layup with 24 ticks remaining but two clutch free throws by K. Smith with nine seconds left sent the game into overtime at 68-68.

In overtime Giordano started the scoring with a jumper and S. Smith made two free throws to put Wilkes ahead 72-71 with 2:39 left leading into the closing sequence after the Eagles took the lead with on a layup and one free throw.

Giordano led Wilkes with 20 points and also pulled in seven rebounds and assisted four times. Roberts finished with season-highs on 16 points and nine rebounds. K. Smith finished with career-highs for points with 11 and rebounds with nine. Whitecavage was clutch at the line down the stretch and 8-for-8 from the stripe for the game as she finished with a season-high 11 points. S. Smith tied her season-high with eight points after providing a lift off the bench.

Regie Robinson led Eastern with 19 points and 14 rebounds and Viki Kneis also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Minika Glenn added 18 points and nine rebounds for the visitors.

The Colonels return to the court on Monday evening to host Rutgers-Camden at the Marts Center in non-conference action at 7:00 p.m.