Scranton, PA, (February 26, 2005) – The DeSales University women’s basketball team shot just 10 percent in the first-half and the University of Scranton held off a late rally by the Bulldogs to win the Freedom Conference Championship, 62-50, on Saturday evening at the Long Center.

 

        The win gives the Lady Royals (26-1 overall) the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.  The Bulldogs fall to 20-7 with the loss and now must await a possible at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.  The tournament bracket is announced on Sunday evening and if DSU gets a bid, it will be posted on the DeSales web site.

 

        Scranton built a 17-point halftime lead as DeSales spent the entire half ice cold from the field.  The Bulldogs shot just 10.0 percent (3-for-30) and were held scoreless over the last 8:58 of the half.  The Lady Royals were also held well below their average in the opening half as they scored just 24 points but still found themselves leading 24-7.

 

        DeSales hit three of its first four shots in the second half to make it 26-13, but Scranton went on a 19-5 run over the next five minutes to build its largest lead of the game, 27 points, at the 13:48 mark.  Sophomore Allison Matt, the tournament’s MVP, had 11 points during the game-clinching spurt.

 

        The Bulldogs showed no quit and made a furious run at the lead late in the game.  Trailing by 23 points, 53-30, DSU went on a 20-5 run to get within eight points, 58-50, but Scranton hit 4-of-5 foul shots down the stretch to post the final margin.  Senior Jen Netwall (Allentown, PA/William Allen) scored 12 points during the late rally.

 

        Netwall finished with a game-high 24 points, all of which came in the second-half.  Fellow seniors Holly Liebl (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) added nine points and a game-high 14 rebounds and senior Alyssa Antolick (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) totaled 11 points and seven rebounds.