Wilkes had no answer for sophomore Christine Marks (10-of-14 from the field, 21 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks) as the Misericordia University women’s basketball team used an early second-half surge to ease past their Freedom Conference rivals, 67-46.

The Cougars improve to 11-8, 6-3 with the win, and remain in third place in the Freedom Conference with five games to play.

Vanessa Wright chipped in 10 points for MU while Jesse Robinson(Elmira Lady Express) turned in a good all-around performance (nine points, seven rebounds, six assists). Freshman Tyann McDaniel also had six assists.

Up by just 11 at half against a struggling Colonels team, Misericordia put the game away quickly. Marks scored on the first possession of the period, then blocked a shot and fed Robinson for another quick bucket.

Two successive baskets by Courtney Sykes put MU up 38-19, and a subsequent hoop from Sykes stretched the lead to 21, still just six minutes into the half.

At that point the damage was done, and the Colonels would get no closer than 16 the rest of the way.

With 9:01 to play in the opening period, McDaniel was fouled taking a three-pointer, only for her shot to bounce high off the backboard before dropping in. She converted the free throw for a rare four-point play, and an 18-10 Cougar lead.

Wright soon stretched the lead to 12 as she converted a tough cut to the hoop, making the score 22-10.

With five minutes remaining in the half, Robinson’s diving steal led to a Marks score. Marks followed that with a long two-pointer to beat the shot clock and put Misericordia up 28-14.

Less than a minute later, Wright slapped the ball away on defense, and beat the Colonels down the court to receive Robinson’s feed for an easy fast break lay-up and a 16-point lead, the largest advantage of the half.

Wilkes was led by freshman Megan Kazmerski, who had 12 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Lyndsay Ellis had a team-high four assists.

Misericordia continues Freedom Conference play this weekend when they host