Box Score The Misericordia University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 61-52 decision to Washington & Lee in the consolation game of the Catholic Christmas Tournament, Tuesday afternoon.

Lauren Smicherko led the Cougars with 12 points while Shannon Croasdale added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Tied 43-43 with 8:34 to play, the Generals went on an 18-9 run to close the game, including making five free throws in the final 1:06.

The Cougars used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take a 17-8 lead.

Sam Baro and Smicherko had back-to-back layups and Jaclyn Hajec scored four straight points for a 15-8 lead.  Brochetti closed the spurt with a layup with 7:04 to play in the first half.

Washington & Lee battled back and eventually pulled even, 25-25, on the final bucket of the half.

The teams exchanged the lead throughout much of the second half with Croasdale sinking a pair of free throws to give MU its final lead of the day, 37-35, with 13:55 to go.

The Cougars remained within one possession until the final five minutes.

Misericordia will face SUNY-Geneseo, Saturday at 4:00 in the Anderson Center.