WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's basketball team couldn't catch up to Misericordia as they fell 56-46 to the Cougars in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom game on Wednesday night at the Marts Center.
 
Wilkes falls to 3-12 overall and 2-4 in conference following the home loss. Misericordia improves to 10-5 on the season and 3-3 in conference play.
 
While Wilkes managed to score the first points of the game with a layup from Jordyn Jennings (York, PA/Northeastern), the first quarter was a slow start for the Colonels, only scoring six points. Brenna Babcock (Sweet Valley, PA/Northwest Area) and Julianna Askins (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) also each added a layup for Wilkes in the first quarter. The Cougars led the Colonels 16-6 at the end of the quarter.
 
Wilkes came back strong in the second quarter, outscoring Misericordia 15-14. First year Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee) led the Colonels in points in the second quarter with five, followed by Askins who had four. Matos and Reagan Holden (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Wilkes-Barre Area) each had an assist in the second quarter. The Colonels were able to cut the Cougars' lead to nine, as Misericordia led 30-21 at the half.
 
The third quarter started out promising for the Colonels, with a layup from Madison Robel (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) and a jumper from Brianna Horton (Verona, NJ/Verona), cutting the Cougars' lead to 35-25. Julia Marino (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township), Horton, and Robel each had two points for Wilkes in the third quarter. Misericordia then went on a nine-point run, ending the quarter leading Wilkes 46-29.
 
Again, the Colonels came back with a strong effort, putting up 17 points in the fourth quarter. Junior Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) was able to earn six points for the Colonels in the quarter, and Babcock and Marino each added four. The effort was not enough for the Colonels to get ahead, as Misericordia was able to maintain their lead and finish the game with a 56-46 victory over Wilkes in MAC Freedom play.
 
Babcock led the Colonels in points in the game with nine, followed by Marino, Shober, and Askins who had six, and Horton and Matos who each had five. Marino had four assists in the game and graduate student Kendra Smith (Hughesville, PA/Hughesville) had two. Babcock and Matos each had five rebounds for the Colonels, and senior Ariel Reed (Woodbury, PA/Northern Bedford) had four.
 
Skylar Dowling led Misericordia in points having 13 in the game, followed by Melina Santacroce who had 11 and Skylar Bianchi who had 10. Morgan Haefele had six assists for the Cougars, as well as seven rebounds.
 
Wilkes had a FG% of 36.4% on the game and shot 16.7% on three-pointers. Misericordia had a FG% of 42% in the game and 35.7% for three-pointers. The Colonels had 32 points in the paint where the Cougars only had 24. Wilkes was also able to score 13 points off turnovers while Misericordia scored 11.
 
The Wilkes women's basketball team continues MAC Freedom play on Saturday, when they host Delaware Valley for a 1:00 p.m. matchup at the Marts Center.