Allentown, PA (November 28, 2005) – For the second straight game the DeSales University women’s basketball team played one great half and one poor half but wound up on the losing side at the end of the two halves each time losing at Muhlenberg College, 59-50, in non-conference action on Monday evening in Memorial Hall.

 

        The Mules (4-0 overall) shot 46.9 percent in the opening half and forced 13 Bulldog (1-3 overall) miscues to take a 35-19 lead into the locker room.  The second half was the complete opposite as DSU forced MC into 24 percent shooting and forced 13 Mule turnovers but were unable to find the go-ahead basket and Muhlenberg escaped with the win.

 

        DeSales led early, 4-3, before a 19-2 run over the next 10 minutes put DSU into a huge hole and saw it trailing 22-6 at the 6:53 mark of the first half.  The Mule lead went as high as 20 points in the opening half before the Bulldogs scored the final four points to make it a 35-19 halftime score.

 

        Muhlenberg still had control of the game in the second half equaling its largest lead of the game at the 10:59 mark, 48-28, when DeSales made its final charge.  An 8-0 run started by five straight points from junior Kirby Lutz (Easton, PA/Pen Argyl) cut the lead down to 12 points at 48-36 and after a Mule trey pushed the margin back to 15 points, DSU ran off 10 straight points to move within five at 51-46 with 2:09 left.

 

        A missed free throw by the Bulldogs caromed off the rim with a chance to get within four, but DSU stole the ensuing pass in transition and got an open trey from the top of the key but that bounced off the mark and DeSales was forced to foul.  Muhlenberg canned 8-of-8 freebies over the last 1:31 and DSU could never get any closer than the five-point margin.

 

        Three players reached double figures for the Bulldogs including sophomore Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) with a team-high 12 points and eight rebounds.  Freshman LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) and Lutz each added 10 points and freshman Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) totaled eight points and four steals.

 

        Lacie Smith recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Mules and Lauren Boyle and Bethany Enterline each had double figures with 13 and 10 points respectively.