The Misericordia University women's basketball team dropped its first home contest of the new year to Lycoming College, 62-46, Saturday afternoon in the Anderson Center.
 
Ava Cirigliano led the Cougars with 13 points and tacked on eight rebounds while Emily Romanowski recorded a team-high 11 boards and four steals.
 
After Cirigliano got the offense started for MU in the first quarter with a layup, Jocelyn Grosch cut the Cougars' deficit to two points by scoring in the paint and drawing a foul, knocking down the ensuing free throw.
 
As the game approached the end of the first frame, Grosch drained Misericordia's first three-pointer of the afternoon to keep the Cougars within three. 
 
Alina Torchia provided a boost for MU late in the second quarter with a shot from deep.
 
Misericordia entered halftime trailing, 32-18.
 
Following a missed three-pointer to open the third, Romanowski brought down an offensive rebound that ultimately sent MU to the line for their first point of the quarter.
 
After bringing down an offensive board with roughly four and a half minutes to go in the third frame, Cirigliano was fouled on a shot attempt and knocked down both of her free throws as the Cougars chipped away at the Warriors' lead.
 
As time in the third quarter continued to tick down, MU began to build momentum. After a three-pointer by Morgan Janeski, Romanowski scored four unanswered fastbreak points. Misericordia rattled off 16 unanswered points to enter the final frame within seven points of tying the game.
 
Lycoming opened the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run to pull away.
 
The Cougars open MAC Freedom play when they host Delaware Valley, Wednesday at 5:00.