Second Quarter Dooms Wilkes Women's Basketball at Misericordia

DALLAS, Pa. – The Wilkes University women's basketball team was outscored 32-4 in the second quarter as it opened Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play with a 74-41 loss at Misericordia University on Wednesday evening.

The Colonels fell to 0-1 in league play with the defeat and 6-6 overall.

Each team hit a three pointer to start the game. Misericordia followed with a second three-pointer while Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) responded with a layup on Wilkes' end.

With the Cougars ahead 10-5, Smicherko converted a corner three-pointer to cut the deficit to 10-8 before a layup from Ariel Reed (Woodbury, PA/Northern Bedford) tied the score with just over five minutes left in the first quarter. Misericordia ended the first quarter leading 18-12.

The Cougars began the second quarter on an 8-2 run, extending their lead to 26-14 at the 7:46 mark forcing Wilkes to call a timeout. The run became 22-2 as Misericordia went on a 14-0 run before calling its own timeout leading 40-14 with just under five minutes remaining until halftime. The Cougars entered halftime leading 50-16.

Misericordia maintained its lead in the third and fourth quarters as the final buzzer sounded.

Smicherko led the Colonels with seven points. Gianna Roberts (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) and Vanessa Whitecavage (Shenandoah, PA/Marian Catholic) added six points apiece.

Jordan Barth paced the Cougars with 22 points to go with 15 rebounds and five assists. Tessa Zamolyi contributed ten points and five rebounds.

Wilkes returns to the court on Saturday when it will host Stevens Institute of Technology for a MAC Freedom game starting at 1:00 p.m.