MADISON, NJ – Leading by double figures at the half, the Wilkes University women's basketball team held off a late rally from host FDU-Florham escaping with a 66-65 MAC Freedom victory on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Colonels recorded its first conference victory of the season moving to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in league games. FDU-Florham dropped to 3-14 overall and 1-5 in MAC Freedom contests following the home defeat.
 
Wilkes built a 10 point halftime lead thanks to strong defense and timely shooting as the Colonels led 34-24 after 20 minutes of play.
 
The third quarter saw FDU play all the way back into the game and eventually take the lead at 39-38 with 1:00 left in the frame. A three-pointer from Katelyn Kinczel (Highland Heights, OH/Mayfield) and inside score from Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) kept the Colonels ahead 43-41 heading into the final period of play.
 
After FDU tied the game on its first possession of the fourth, Kinczel cashed in from long range again pushing the lead to three, 46-43, with 9:21 left to play. Another three-pointer, this time from Roberts extended the advantage to 49-43 with 7:37 on the clock. Brianna Horton (Verona, NJ/Verona) capped off the 9-0 run when she converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Colonels a 52-43 lead with 6:32 remaining.
 
FDU used a run of their own, 10-0, to come all the way back and take the lead over the next two minutes as the Devils led 53-52 at the 5:05 mark. A jumper by Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and three-pointer from Kinczel gave the Colonels back the advantage up 57-54 with 4:01 remaining. After an FDU score, a bucket from Macy Berryman (Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mountain East) and two Kelley free throws setup the final 1:50 with Wilkes leading 63-58.
 
Horton added a free throw after an FDU three-pointer to keep Wilkes in front 64-61 with 1:11 left. FDU would miss its next attempt but Wilkes was unable to capitalize at the foul line missing both free throws after a Devils foul. FDU made one of two free throw down the other end on its next possession before fouling again to stop the clock with :24 remaining. Horton made one of two from the line to give Wilkes a 65-62 lead. Another missed FDU attempt gave Wilkes two free throws where the Colonels continued to miss opportunities to put the game out of reach.
 
FDU had one more shot at a three-pointer to tie the game with :08 left, but the shot fell off the mark and Berryman swooped in for the rebound where she was fouled. The rookie hit one of two free throws to ice the game as Wilkes held on for the one-point win following a Devils three-pointer at the buzzer.
 
Kinczel led three players in double-figures for Wilkes finishing with 13 points including three treys. Roberts and Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) added 11 points each while Kelley, Berryman and Horton each contributed eight points in the win,
 
Angela Downey finished with a game-high 18 points including a 6-for-13 performance from long range to lead FDU.
 
Wilkes remains on the road Wednesday when it travels to Doylestown, Pa. for a matchup with Delaware Valley University starting at 8:00 p.m