When Wednesday night's women's basketball game went to halftime, the Misericordia Cougars were tied with the Wilkes Colonels, 17-17. But what started as a stingy, deliberate, defensive game turned into a shootout in the second half.

The Cougars shot just 7-for-29 before the break. Lacey DeGraw led with six points, including a pair of free throws and a pair of layups.

Courtney Sykes broke the tie within seconds of the second half buzzer with a ten-foot jumper. She made her presence felt throughout the rest of the game with a duo of clean three-pointers.

At 44-44, the Cougars took full control. DeGraw started a 10-0 run with a layup. Rachel Selert nailed a long three and Jesse Robinson and Christine Marks each sank finger rolls through traffic. A foul shot put the Cougars up 54-44—the largest lead of the game.

With a minute left to play, the Colonels got within five at 58-53. They fouled and fouled, fighting to keep themselves in a winnable game, but the Cougars shot well from the line. DeGraw sank her final two shots from the line for the win.

The Cougars shot 17-for-27 in the second half.

DeGraw finished with a team-high 18. Courtney Sykes and Robinson each added 11, and Marks reached 10.

Robinson led with seven rebounds. Lindsey Sykes followed with six.

The Cougars (6-5, 3-2) travel to FDU-Florham Saturday for an afternoon match-up with their Freedom Conference foes at 1:00 p.m. The men's game will follow at 3:00 p.m.