The Misericordia women's basketball team got their 2009-10 Freedom Conference campaign off to a good start with a 67-54 road win over nearby Wilkes. The Cougars (4-2, 1-0) have now won four straight games.

Former MU starting point guard Lindsey Sykes was on the opposing bench as a first-year assistant coach for Wilkes.

But it was her sister, junior Courtney Sykes, who helped lead the Cougars to victory. Sykes narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Christine Marks did have a double-double, with 15 points and 13 boards, both team-highs. Other major contributors for Misericordia were Tyann McDaniel (14 points) and Jesse Robinson (13 points and a team-high four assists).

Trailing 29-24 at the half, Wilkes' Megan Kazmerski opened the half with a three-pointer to cut the Cougar lead to two. Marks restored the lead with a nice three-point play.

Two free throws by Marks gave MU its largest lead at that point in the game, 42-31. Marks is now shooting an outstanding 91% from the free throw line this season.

Wilkes had a 6-0 run midway through the half, punctuated by a Samantha Lynam lay-up, but Robinson ended it with a good post shot. A three-pointer by McDaniel put Misericordia back up by 10.

Buckets by Sykes and Robinson pushed the lead to 14 with 6:30 remaining in the game. The Colonels only managed two more field goals the rest of the way as Misericordia eased to the win.

In the first period, Wilkes jumped out to an early 8-2 lead thanks to a pair of Brittany Ely baskets. Ely went 3-3 in the half. The run was finally ended by a Robinson three-point play.

Another three-pointer by McDaniel gave MU its first lead, 10-8, with 13:30 remaining in the half. A Vanessa Wright steal followed by a basket stretched the lead to 13-8, before Kazmerski finally broke the 11-0 Cougar run with a fast break hoop.

Freshman Caitlin Sweeney came into the game and immediately drained a tough jumper before yet another McDaniel three-pointer gave the Cougars their largest lead of the half, 23-16.

The Cougars continue conference play on Saturday when they travel to Eastern.