Center Valley, PA, (December 7, 2005) – The DeSales University women’s basketball team broke a tie at 46 with a 12-2 run over a four minute span to defeat Cabrini College, 61-51, in non-conference action on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.

 

        The victory is the third straight for DeSales who improves to 4-4 overall, while the Cavaliers fall to 2-5 overall.  DSU’s defense was again the story as the Bulldogs held its fifth straight opponent to under 60 points.  DeSales also pressured the Cavs into 31 turnovers and tallied 15 steals.  Cabrini kept itself in the game on the glass, out-rebounding DSU 36-19 for the game.

 

        The Bulldogs seemed to be in control of the game early in the second half, opening a nine point lead on five different occasions before a 12-3 run by CC tied the game at 42 with 8:20 to play.  The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes and the game remained tied at 46 before the decisive DeSales run to end the game.

 

        Freshman LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) started the spurt with a three-point play and sophomore Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) scored eight points on six free throws and a lay-up to give DSU a 58-48 edge.  The Bulldogs hit 3-of-4 free throws over the last two minutes to post the final margin.

 

        Burke led the attack with 14 points, Kuperavage finished with 13 points and a team-high six rebounds and junior Kirby Lutz (Easton, PA/Pen Argyl) finished with 11 points and five steals.  Freshman Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) added eight points and three steals.

 

        Sophomore Sharae Middlebrook led the Cavaliers with a team-high 15 points and was the lone player in double figures for Cabrini.