WILKES-BARRE – The Colonels hosted Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom rival Misericordia Cougars for their third matchup of the season. This was the second time meeting at the Marts Center for the two teams in 2021.
 
The Colonels (1-7, 0-6 MACF) struggled to overcome big Misericordia (5-3, 4-2) runs in the first and third period to drop the game 69-60.
 
The Cougars took command of the first period after the opening minutes, going on a 10-5 run after being down early to finish the period up 20-9.  The Colonels battled back in the second, closing within 28-23 with a 10-3 run in the late minutes of the period and went into halftime down 30-23.
 
Misericordia started the third frame on a 16-3 run to effectively push the Colonels out of reach in the contest.  The Cougars led by as many as 18 points down the stretch as they claimed the season series 2-1 over the Colonels. 
 
Sophomore guard Brenna Babcock (Sweet Valley, PA/Northwest Area) played a key role for the Colonels on the evening, with 13 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Gabby Smicherko (Edwardsville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) led the squad with nine rebounds and posted eight points, while sophomore guard Brianna Horton (Verona, NJ/Verona) had 11 points and a pair of steals on the night.  Elizabeth Fasti posted an impressive night for Misericordia, scoring 25 points for the Cougars.
 
The Colonels will return for a regular season home finale against FDU-Florham.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. this upcoming Monday.