The Misericordia University women's basketball team defeated Stevens, 76–61, in its MAC Freedom opener, Wednesday night on Doc Mould Court.

Morgan Janeski led five Cougars in double figures with 24 points.  Lizzy Mitchell added 14 points while Emily Romanowski had 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.  Chase Purdy and Ava Cirigliano added 10 points each.

Misericordia started the game with back-to-back three-pointers by Mitchell to take a 6-4 lead. Cirigliano hit the next two MU shots to tie the game, 10-10, with 4:04 to play in the first quarter.

Janeski drilled with two consecutive three-pointers and a layup by Mitchell capped an 8-0 run to give the Cougars a 20–12 lead heading into the second quarter.

MU kept its foot on the gas to start the second quarter, going on a 9–1 scoring run. Purdy began the run with a layup, followed by layups from Romanowski and Janeski.

A free throw by Purdy and a fast-break layup by Marisa Captoni extended Misericordia's lead to 29-13 with 3:06 to go in the first half.

Romanowski and Janeski made three free throws to close the first half with MU leading, 34–20.

The Cougars continued their momentum at the start of the third quarter, going on a 12–1 run.

Six points from Purdy and three-pointers from Captoni and Romanowski put Misericordia up, 46-24, midway through the third period.

Stevens got with 12 points in the fourth quarter, but Janeski responded with back-to-back three-pointers to extend MU's lead to 62-44 with 6:24 to play.

Romanowski's three-pointer and four free throws by Janeski made it 73-52 with 2:20 to play.

Misericordia will travel to Lebanon Valley on Saturday.