DALLAS (PA) – Misericordia University outscored Delaware Valley University, 15-6, in the second quarter and led by as many as 23 points in the third, as the Cougars defended home court with a 59-48, Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom victory. 

The win pulled Misericordia to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in MAC Freedom play while the Aggies dropped to 6-9 overall and 2-2 in league games.

The Cougars held a 12-8 lead after the first quarter. Danielle Skedzielewski started the second with a pair of free throws for DelVal before Misericordia went on a 12-0 run. Shannon Croasdale connected on two consecutive 3-pointers to start the run as she scored eight of her 10 first-half points during the spurt to help the Cougars lead 27-14 at halftime. The Aggies shot 5-for-27 (18.5%) from the field, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Misericordia kept pressing in the third quarter, scoring 17 of the first 24 points in the stanza to open its largest lead of the game at 44-21 with two minutes left in the third. The Cougars were up 49-30 going into the fourth quarter.

DelVal fell into foul trouble as Skedzielewski, Sam Foy and Ashley Smink all had four personal fouls early in the fourth quarter. Despite that, the trio was able to help the Aggies cut into their deficit by scoring 16 of the first 20 points of the final stanza to pull within seven, 53-46. Smink had 10 points, Foy scored four and Skedzielewski added two during that run. However, Misericordia hit six free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 59-48 win.

Smink finished with 19 points, Skedzielewski 13 and Foy with eight. Skedzielewski led DelVal with eight rebounds followed by six from Monica Smallwood.

Justine Seely led the Cougars with 15 points and nine rebounds as she and Croasdale combined for 28 points and 17 boards in the game. Japriya Carroll contributed nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Aggies will return home on Wednesday, January 18 as they continue MAC Freedom play against Manhattanville College.