SCRANTON, PA.  – The Wilkes University Colonels women's basketball squad hung tough with the Marywood Pacers in a neutral site game at the John Long Center in Scranton, Pa.
 
It wouldn't prove to be enough, however, as the Pacers (3-2) outlasted the Colonels (1-3) 69-63 as the Colonels were never able to overcome the small Marywood advantage.
 
The Colonels led 9-4 early thanks to a pair of layups by senior guard Kendra Smith (Hughesville, PA/Hughesville), but a 12-2 rally by the Pacers evaporated the Navy and Gold edge.  While the Colonels would not take the lead for the remainder of the half, they prevented the Marywood advantage from getting any bigger than seven points and the two teams headed into the locker room with Wilkes down 36-32.
 
A 7-2 run to start the third quarter gave the Colonels a one-point edge, but the Pacers did not allow them to build on it.  Much like the first half, the Pacers never led by more than five as the Colonels hung tough, down 48-46 heading into the final frame.  Marywood would lead by as many as eight in the period, but the Navy and Gold managed to sand down the advantage to 61-59 with just over two minutes remaining.  Marywood would not be shaken, as they lead the Colonels in the next minute or so 5-2 to take a 66-61 edge with 45 seconds left.  The Colonels would manage to make it a one score game at 66-63, but Marywood sank their free throws to lock the Navy and Gold out of the game.
 
Junior guard Brianna Horton (Verona, NJ/Verona) earned a double double in the loss, with 13 points and 11 rebounds to her name.  Sophomore center Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) led the squad with 16 points and added in a pair of blocks and eight rebounds.  Sophomore guard Julia Marino (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) led the Colonels with 10 assists, while also contributing six points and three rebounds. 
 
Jade Rolon and Stephanie Klemick each had a double double with 16 points/10 rebounds and 10 points/10 rebounds respectively, while Savannah Purdy led all Packers with 20 points.  Faith Kendricks shot 4-of-5 from the three-point arc and finished the day with 18 points.
 
The Colonels wrap up the Cross-County Challenge tomorrow as they play host Scranton at 3:00 p.m.  The Colonels are 1-7 in the live stats era against the Royals, who were ranked 12 in the d3hoops.com preseason poll heading into the 2021-22 season.