WILKES-BARRE – Trailing by five with 1:15 remaining, visiting Juniata College connected on back-to-back three-pointers including one trey with 20 seconds left that gave the Eagles a one point lead as they held on to a 53-51 Landmark Conference victory over the Wilkes University women's basketball team Wednesday night at the Marts Center.
 
With the loss Wilkes moved to 3-9 overall and 0-5 in league games. Juniata improved to 3-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
 
The teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter with Maliyah Warren (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville) contributing seven points including three inside scores. With the game tied at 14, Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee) gave the Colonels a two point advantage as the horn sounded following a driving layup.
 
Wilkes kept its slim lead through the second quarter outscoring Juniata 9-7 over the second 15 minutes of play. The Colonels took a 25-21 lead into the break, using its defense to keep the Eagles at bay offensively as Juniata finished just 4-for-27 from the field in the first half.
 
Warren continued to dominate the paint scoring back-to-back buckets to push the Wilkes advantage to 29-21 with 6:46 on the third quarter clock. From there Juniata used a 14-7 run over the next four minutes to complete the comeback and lead 36-35 with under two minutes left in the third. Wilkes battled back with six quick points to take back the lead capped off by a long Aivry Devoy (Milton, MA/Archbishop Williams) three-pointer before a trey from Juniata as the quarter ended cut the Colonels advantage to 41-40 heading to the fourth.
 
From there Juniata used the two three-pointers to come back from five down and take a one point lead with 20 seconds remaining. Wilkes was unable to cash in from the free throw line with two second left and a chance to tie the game at 53. Juniata also was unable to convert free throws down the stretch missing four straight of their own but held on to the two-point win on the road.
 
Warren was the lone double figure scorer for Wilkes finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds.
 
Bri Boodtorf topped Juniata with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
 
Prior to the game, Wilkes honored Matos presenting her with her 1,000-point ball after the senior reached the career milestone last Saturday.
 
Wilkes continues its home conference slate Saturday when the Colonels host Elizabethtown College at 4:00 p.m. at the Marts Center.