Center Valley, PA, (November 27, 2006) – The DeSales University women’s basketball team started slowly, fought back to take a late four-point lead but could not hold on falling for the second straight time, 65-62, to local rival Muhlenberg College in a non-conference game.

 

        The loss drops the Bulldogs to 2-2 overall, while the Mules improve to 4-0 overall.  MC finished the game shooting 44.8 percent and torched the nets at a 55.2 percent clip in the first half.  DSU made just 33.9 percent of its shots but did convert 87.5 percent of its free throws (21-of-24).  The Bulldogs forced 22 turnovers but were out-rebounded 41-32 in the loss.

 

        Trailing 23-13 with 8:34 left in the first half, DSU went on a 12-0 run to take a 25-23 lead with 4:44 to play but gave the lead right back as Muhlenberg answered with a 14-0 run to end the half and lead 37-25 entering the locker rooms.  During the DeSales spurt four different Bulldogs scored including junior Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) with four points.

 

        In the second half, Muhlenberg continued to lead by nine, 40-31, at the 16:45 mark when DeSales mounted its comeback.  A 10-0 run over the next four minutes was started by a driving lay-up from sophomore Erica Sovak (Tuxedo, NY/George F. Baker) and ended with a nifty post move from junior Jenna Stampf (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) giving DSU its first second-half lead, 41-40, with 12:39 showing on the clock.

 

        The mules reclaimed the lead and pushed its advantage to five, 51-46, on a lay in from Alexis Bates with 8:33 left.  Sophomore Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) followed the Bates lay-up with an unconventional three-point play and then found fellow sophomore Lindsey Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Middle Township) for a trey in transition to give DSU the lead back at 52-51.

 

        The game went back and forth over the next two and a half minutes and was tied at 56 with 4:54 left to play.  DSU converted six straight free throws over the next two minutes and led by four, 62-58, with 2:52 to go when Muhlenberg closed the game out on a 7-0 run.  Emily Wright nailed a three-pointer at the 2:44 mark and Bethany Enterline converted two free throws to give MC a 63-62 lead.

 

        DSU had consecutive good looks from the corner on one possession and from the top of the key on the next possession after a defensive stop but were unable to convert as Muhlenberg clung to its one-point lead.  Forced to foul with 14 seconds left, MC converted just 1-of-2 free throws but DeSales once again failed to convert on the offensive end despite a good look from the right wing.  The Mules made 1-of-2 free throws with two seconds left and a full court pass was picked off to end the game.

 

        Lutz finished with a team-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.  Kuperavage was the only other Bulldog in double digits with 14, while Rarick and Burke combined for 18 points.

 

        Lauren Boyle led Muhlenberg with a game-high 25 points, 21 of which came in the first half.  Megan Courtney finished with 12 points and eight rebounds as the only Mule in double figures.