After several near-misses, the Misericordia University women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season with a hard-fought 71-63 decision over DeSales, Wednesday night at the Anderson Center.

Justine Seely led three MU players in double figures with game-highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds.  Lauren Smicherko and Jaclyn Hajec added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Shelby Brochetti added nine points off the bench and Lena Williams had seven points and four assists.

Smicherko broke a 57-57 tie with a pair of free throws at 4:40 and Misericordia never trailed again.

Nikki Baro converted a fast break layup off a Smicherko steal and Seely made two free throws to stretch the lead to 63-58.

After a DeSales basket, Hajec beat the shot clock with a pull up jumper in the lane for a 65-60 lead with 38 seconds remaining.

Williams and Smicherko combined for four free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Down 48-37 early in the second half, the Cougars scored 11 straight points to pull even with 11:26 to play.

Williams and Brochetti played a part in four consecutive scoring possessions to ignite the run.

After Williams made a pair of free throws, Brochetti found Seely underneath to cut it to 48-41.

Brochetti followed with a fast break layup off a Williams steal and Hajec drained a three-pointer from the right wing off a feed from Williams.
Nikki Baro hit a foul line jumper to tie it, 48-48.

Seely's driving layup gave the Cougars a 50-49 lead.

DeSales went ahead 55-51, but Hajec answered with a three-pointer from the left wing to pull within one.

The teams went back and forth for much of the first half and were tied 21-21 with 7:49 remaining before DeSales went on a 12-2 run to take a 33-23 lead.

Shannon Croasdale found Seely underneath to end the Bulldogs' spurt and Brochetti's followed with an up-and-under move for a layup.

Seely grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Brochetti cutting down the lane and she added a free throw to get within 37-30.

Smicherko buried a three-pointer from the right wing and then found Seely on the block to end the first half down two, 37-35.

Misericordia will visit Wilkes, Saturday.