The Misericordia University women's basketball team used a big second half to defeat Juniata, 72-55, in the opening round of the Rebecca Martin Memorial Tip-Off Tournament, Friday night at McDaniel.

Down 31-28 at halftime, the Cougars out scored the Eagles, 44-24, over the final 20 minutes.

Chase Purdy led the Cougars with 27 points and 14 rebounds in her Misericordia debut while Lizzy Mitchell added 13 points and four assists in her first collegiate game.

Jordan Carmosino added 11 points for the Cougars and Emily Romanowski had nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Raegan Palmer hit a pair of three pointers to give MU a 17-15 lead late in the first quarter and Purdy added a layup to give the Cougars a 19-15 lead after one period.

Juniata scored five points in the final 30 seconds of the second quarter to take 31-28 lead into halftime.

Emily Romanowski's layup midway through the third period put the Cougars in front for good, 38-36, with 5:21 to go.

Purdy hit a jumper in the lane and followed with a three-pointer from the top of the key to give the Cougars a 45-38 lead.

Mitchell drilled a three-pointer from the right corner to give MU a 48-38 lead with 1:46 left in the third quarter.

Mitchell added two late free throws and the Cougars led 50-41 after three periods.

Purdy made back-to-back layups early in the fourth period and Mitchell drained a three-pointer from the left corner to extend MU's lead to 56-43 less than three minutes into the fourth quarter.

The Cougars will face McDaniel in the championship game, Saturday at 6:00.