WILKES-BARRE – Visiting Susquehanna University raced out to a 37-19 halftime lead on way to an 81-59 Landmark Conference victory over the Wilkes University women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center.
 
Wilkes dropped to 8-13 overall and 4-9 in league games while Susquehanna improved to 14-7 overall and 9-5 in Landmark contests.
 
After Susquehanna took an early lead in the first five minutes of the opening stanza, Wilkes responded with scores from Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) and Brenna Babcock (Sweet Valley, PA/Northwest Area) before a jumper from Nadia Evanosky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) brought the Colonels to within one at 9-8. The River Harks ended the quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 19-10 lead after one quarter.
 
The Susquehanna lead grew to 31-16 with 3:13 left in the second period as Babcock scored again on a drive to keep the Colonels close. A River Hawk three-pointer and layup on consecutive possessions extended the advantage to 20 before two free throws from Julia Marino (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) finished the half of scoring with Wilkes trailing by 18.
 
Wilkes best stretch of play came over the third quarter as the Colonels outscored Susquehanna 26-18 in the up-and-down offensive ten minutes of play. Shober notched 12 of her team-high 18 points in the frame as back-to-back baskets underneath made it 49-35 with 2:55 left in the frame. Shober knocked down two free throws to bring Wilkes to within ten at 52-42, the closest it was since early in the first quarter. Reagan Holden (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Wilkes-Barre Area) scored on a driving layup to end the frame with Susquehanna still leading 55-45 heading to the fourth.
 
From there the visiting River Hawks built the lead back to 18 within the first three minutes of the final quarter, outscoring the Colonels by 12 over the final ten minutes of play to seal the road conference victory.
 
Shober finished 6-for-11 from the field and recorded seven rebounds. Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee) followed with 16 points and seven boards while Babcock added 14 points and six caroms.
 
Susquehanna was able to scored 26 points off 17 Wilkes turnovers which proved to be the difference in the contest.
 
Kaitlyn Lynch led all scorers with a game-high 19 points on 4-of-7 shooting from long range.
 
Wilkes continues Landmark play Wednesday hosting Drew University at 7:00 p.m. in the Marts Center. The Colonels were 50-48 winners in Madison, NJ in the teams first meeting this season.