HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Wilkes University women's basketball team defeated the Juniata College Eagles Saturday afternoon on the road behind a career-high 26 points from Maliyah Warren (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville).

The Colonels improve to 5-16 (2-12 Landmark) on the season and snap a five-game losing streak, while the Eagles drop to 4-17 (2-12 Landmark).

Looking to split the season series against Juniata, Wilkes got the hot start they needed in the first quarter. The Colonels shot 47.1% (8-17) from the field, compared to just 28.6% (4-14) for the Eagles, and took a 19-10 lead going into the second quarter.

Through the first 10 minutes of action, Warren and Addison Place (Dover, PA/Northern York) combined to score 11 of the team's 19 points, with Place going a perfect 3-3 from the field. 

Wilkes' offense slowed down in the second, but their defense made sure the Eagles never took the lead. Wilkes led by eight (30-22) with two minutes remaining in the half, but back-to-back threes from Juniata's Bri Bodtorf and Leah Skweres made it a two-point game at halftime.

The second half is when Warren began to take over the game. The sophomore scored 10 points in the third quarter, and got timely support from Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee), and Charlotte Taylor (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) throughout.

This helped the Colonels take a 54-45 lead going into the fourth, and in the final frame Warren and Anya Richet (Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley West) put the Eagles away for good. Even though Juniata made it a one-point game (56-55) with 7:42 to play, the forward duo led Wilkes on a 17-6 run to close out the game and secure the win.

Warren finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 9-21 shooting, while Richet finished with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.

On the other side, Laney Gerdich led Juniata in scoring with 17 points on 4-6 from the field and 9-12 from the free throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots.

Another crucial factor was Wilkes winning the rebound battle 54-38, and getting 22 points from the bench.

Wilkes continues this road trip on Wednesday, Feb. 11 on 7 p.m. with a matchup against the Drew University Rangers.