MADISON, N.J. – The Wilkes University women's basketball team sprinted out to a 27-3 lead after the first quarter during its 67-24 victory at FDU-Florham in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action in the Ferguson Recreation Center Saturday afternoon.

Wilkes improved to 5-7 in MAC Freedom contests and 6-15 overall with the road win. FDU-Florham dropped to 0-13 in the conference and 0-17 overall this season.

The Colonels shot 52.6% (10-for-19) in the first quarter including 7-for-14 from three-point range to build a 24-point lead. Wilkes went ahead 10-0 with 5:26 left in the quarter on an Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) layup, three by Brianna Horton (Verona, NJ/Verona) and Julianna Askins (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle), and a jumper by Julia Marino (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township). Two more three-pointers by Askins and a three by Victoria Crooker (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) made it 19-2. Jordyn Jennings (York, PA/Northeastern) hit a jumper followed by another three by Crooker and a final first quarter trey by Jennings as Wilkes built its 27-3 lead.

Threes by Askins and Crooker in the second quarter pushed the Colonels lead to 31 points and a final basket in the paint at the horn by Tess Edwards (Benton, PA/Northwest Area) made the score 42-9 at halftime.

Emma Stout (Bangor, PA/Bangor) hit a jumper with 3:45 remaining in the third to give Wilkes a 40 point lead and Wilkes still led by 40 at the end of the third 52-12.

Another three by Crooker gave Wilkes a 45-point lead in the fourth as did a Stout jumper as Wilkes won by 43 at 67-24.

The Colonels saw 13 different players reach the scoring column, led by a career high 14 points by Askins. Crooker tied her career high with 12 points as she was 4-for-7 from three. Ariel Reed (Woodbury, PA/Northern Bedford) and Nadia Evanosky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) led the Colonels with six rebounds as Wilkes outrebounded FDU-Florham 47-33. Evanosky had a career high six assists to go with her career high six rebounds. Marino added four assists.

Abigail Rodriguez led the Devils with eight points.

Wilkes only committed eight turnovers while forcing 18 turnovers by FDU-Florham. The Colonels defense held the Devils to 19.6% (9-for-46) shooting from the field and 10.0% (2-for-20) from three.

The Colonels continue its push for a MAC Freedom playoff position with a road matchup at Misericordia on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.