The Misericordia University women's basketball team earned their first win of the 2024-25 season after defeating Wilkes University by a score 59-47, in the non-conference matchup, Tuesday night on Doc Mould Court.
 
After MU established a four-point lead at halftime, the Colonels battled back in the third quarter to cut their deficit to a single point. The Cougars' defense responded by holding Wilkes to six points the entire fourth frame while the offense got into a rhythm, putting up 17 points on their former conference foes.
 
Morgan Janeski led the team in scoring with 15 points and three shots from three-point range. Overall, she went 6-13 from the field. Emily Romanowski controlled play along the glass with a team-high 10 rebounds, including nine defensive boards. Romanowski and Jocelyn Grosch shared the team lead in assists with two apiece. Jordan Carmosino was a perfect 3-3 from the line.
 
Wilkes opened the game with an 11-2 run that was stopped by a huge three-pointer by Janeski. 
 
Later in the first quarter, Carmosino got her shot from beyond the arc to fall, bringing the Misericordia within two points of tying the contest.
 
With just over a minute to go in the first frame, Caitlin Sweeney hit a floater that tied the score at 14-14.
 
The Cougars tightened things up defensively in the second quarter, holding Wilkes to 10 points. MU brought down nine defensive rebounds and forced seven turnovers.
 
On the offensive side, Misericordia shot 36 percent from the field and exited the court with a 42-41 advantage.
 
Late in the third quarter, Romanowski took a trip to the line and hit MU's first free throw attempt of the night as the Cougars took a 37-36 lead. 
 
The Colonels went on a brief 4-0 run to reclaim the lead, 40-37. Shortly thereafter, Ava Cirigliano flipped the momentum in Misericordia's favor as she drew a foul and drained both free throws to pull MU back to within one point.
 
With 13 seconds left in the quarter, Grosch hit a crucial three-pointer to send the Cougars into the final frame with a 42-41 lead.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, Janeski set the tone with a pair of shots from downtown that gave MU a 50-46 lead. 
 
Misericordia was stellar defensively, holding Wilkes to a 15.4 field goal percentage and preventing the Colonels from sinking any shots from three-point range. MU also picked up a block from Samantha Casey with 1:13 remaining in regulation.
 
The Cougars ended the fourth quarter on a 12-1 run that wrapped up their first victory of the season, 59-47. 
 
The Cougars return to the court when they host Penn State Harrisburg, Saturday at 1:00.