The Misericordia University women's basketball team used a furious first-half run to storm into second place in the Freedom Conference with a 61-47 victory over Eastern, Sunday in the Anderson Center. 

With the win, Misericordia is in a three-way tie for second at 7-3 with Delaware Valley and DeSales.

It was a tale of two halves for the Cougars, who were fortunate to have staked themselves such a large haltime lead after being out-scored by Eastern 31-18 in the second period. 

Christine Marks shot 11-of-11 from the free throw line and scored a game-high 22 points. Freshman Tyann McDaniel added 11 points and senior Vanessa Wright dished out four assists. 

With the game tied 4-4 early, McDaniel drained a three-pointer and started a 19-2 run for the Cougars. Misericordia would stretch that streak to 29-6 before the Eagles hit threes on consecutive possessions. 

Marks scored 6 straight points late in the period, giving her 20 in the first half alone. When McDaniel swished a three-pointer at the buzzer, the home team ran off the court with a 27-point lead after just 20 minutes of play, 43-16.

As good as the Cougars were in the first half, shooting 54.2% from the field, they were equally unimpressive in the second. MU scored shot 19.0% in the final period and converted just four baskets the entire half. 

Eastern was led by sophomores Bekah Roland and Mary Poole, who each put up nine points and four rebounds. Kristine Zeiset had a good all-around performance with eight points, six rebounds and three steals. 

Misericordia is now 12-8 overall and will travel to SUNY-Cobleskill tomorrow night before their big showdown with defending Freedom champion DeSales on Wednesday.