CENTER VALLEY, PA – Five players connected on at least one three-pointer for the Wilkes University women's basketball team in an 86-46 loss at No. 22 DeSales University Wednesday night inside Billera Hall Gymnasium in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action.

With the loss Wilkes drops to 4-8 overall and 0-3 in MAC Freedom games. DeSales improved its record to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

A Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) three-pointer with 7:32 left in the first quarter gave Wilkes its only lead of the night at 5-4. Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross) then connected on a shot from behind the arc as well to cut the DeSales lead to 10-8 with 2:41 remaining in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs closed the quarter with the final four points to hold a 14-8 lead.

DeSales outscored Wilkes 28-12 in the second quarter to extend its lead to 42-20 at halftime.

The Colonels almost played the nationally-ranked Bulldogs even in the third quarter as the scoring was 21-17 in favor of the home side. Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) got the scoring started for Wilkes with a three. Stef Kramer (Dushore, PA/Sullivan County) and Alyssa Alfano (Dunmore, PA/Holy Cross) also made treys in the quarter for the Colonels.

The Bulldogs cruised in the fourth quarter extending their lead to the final horn.

Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) led Wilkes with 10 points for her third double-digit effort this season. Ashley Caster (York, PA/Spring Grove) had seven points and a team-high five rebounds while Giordano added seven points and four rebounds. Kelley finished with six points and four rebounds and Alfano added six points. Smicherko led the Colonel offense with three assists.

Wilkes shot 13-of-15 from the free-throw line and connected on seven total threes in the game.

Averi Jordan led DeSales with a game-high 16 points. Joining her in double figures were Samantha Shinkus with 13 points, Juliana Tritto with 12 and Rylie Rittenhouse with 11. Bridget Walsh grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and Morgan Birmelin had a game-high 12 assists.

The Colonels will look for their first conference victory of the season when they host Eastern University on Saturday inside the Marts Center at 1:00 p.m.