The Misericordia women's basketball team defeated Eastern, 74-59, Wednesday night in the Anderson Center to improve to 15-1 overall and 5-0 in MAC Freedom play.
 
Gianna Delfino led the Cougars with 19 points and nine rebounds and Jordan Barth had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
 
Erica Haefele added 13 points and six assists and Tessa Zamolyi had 10 points.
 
The Cougars defense forced 26 Eagles' turnovers and had 17 total steals.
 
The Cougars began the game with a Delfino layup that was assisted by Barth to start a 12-0 run.
 
Haefele made a three-pointer and added a foul shot on the next possession as the Cougars built the 12-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.
 
The Eagles answered with a 30-16 run to end the half and the Cougars held on to a two-point lead at half time, 30-28.
 
The Eagles took a 35-34 early in the third quarter, but the Cougars responded with back-to-back layups by Zamolyi to regain the lead.
 
MU went on a 13-5 run to end the third quarter and took a 51-43 lead.
 
MU scored 14 of their 23 fourth-quarter points from the free throw line, including Barth's 8-8 effort.
 
The Cougars will travel to DeSales on Saturday for a 1:00 tip.