WILLIAMSPORT, PA. – The Wilkes University Colonels returned to the court for the first time this January to face Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom foe Lycoming Wednesday evening.
 
The Colonels (4-8, 3-3 MACF) hung tough with the Warriors (4-10, 3-2) into the locker room, but an 18-1 third quarter run by Lycoming put the Navy and Gold behind for good in a 70-49 game.
 
Neither team led by more than two points in the first period before a 5-2 run by the Colonels gave them a 14-10 edge with 1:51 left in the quarter.  The Warriors erased the deficit with a pair of buckets to head into the second frame in a 14-14 tie.  The teams continued to jostle for the lead in the second period, with six lead changes between the two squads.  Neither team led by more than four points throughout the quarter, with the Colonels entering the locker room down 29-27.
 
The Warriors came out firing on all cylinders and put the Colonels away with an 18-1 third quarter, and led by as much as 26 points in the fourth period before finishing the evening with a 70-49 victory.
 
First year Julianna Askins (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) did a bit of everything for the Colonels, leading the team with 10 points and recording five rebounds, a block, and a steal.  Senior Kendra Smith (Hughesville, PA/Hughesville) led all Colonels with eight rebounds.  Thirteen different Warriors scored points for Lycoming, with Emily Lockard earning a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.  Meghan Dufner added in a game-high 17 points, while Cathryn Brought had 12 rebounds.
 
The Colonels look to bounce back with their first of a two-game homestand this Saturday.  The Navy and Gold are scheduled to tip off against Stevens at noon in the Marts Center as the Navy and Gold look for their first victory in the live stats era over their MAC Freedom foe.