The Misericordia University women's basketball team knew it would be challenged in a Saturday match-up with second place Alvernia, but they pulled a 69-52 win out of the hard-fought conference game.

 

Lacey DeGraw led the Cougars with 19 points—15 in the first half. Christine Marks and Jesse Robinson scored 17 and 16, respectively.

 

Marks earned the double-double with 11 rebounds. DeGraw followed with eight.

 

The Cougars took an early lead on a 10-3 run that started on a three-pointer from Robinson, but the Crusaders kept it close until the final five minutes of the first half.

 

Down 27-25, DeGraw put up eight consecutive points, including three layups in traffic. Later, with :20 left on the clock, Rachel Selert drained the three that sent the Cougars to break up 39-29.

 

Robinson took control early in the second half. She dropped three layups in the first five minutes of play and a fourth moments later that gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game at 53-35.

 

Points came easily in the second half. The Cougars picked up seven on free throws alone. They were fouled 21 times in the game; they sank 17 shots from the line.

 

The Cougars (9-9, 5-5) head to King's Wednesday for a 6:00 p.m. conference match-up with the Monarchs.