Doylestown, PA (November 29, 2006) – Senior Kirby Lutz (Easton, PA/Pen Argyl) recorded her first double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the DeSales University women’s basketball team past Delaware Valley College in the Freedom Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday evening.

 

        The win snaps DSU’s two-game losing streak and improves the Bulldogs to 3-2 overall, 1-0 in the Freedom Conference.  The Aggies fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Freedom.  DSU shot 40.6 percent from the field and committed just seven turnovers in the game.  Delaware Valley had 18 turnovers and shot 39.3 percent from the field.

 

        The Bulldogs broke away late in the first half turning a two-point lead (19-17) into a 12-point lead (35-23) with a 16-6 run.  During the spurt Lutz had 10 points and sophomore Erica Sovak (Tuxedo, NY/George F. Baker) closed the run with a three-pointer from the left corner.

 

        DSU led by eight at the break and pushed the lead to 11 early in the second half before the Aggies cut into the lead with nine straight points over a four minute span making the score, 40-38, with 14:40 left.

 

        The game went back and forth over the next three minutes with the Bulldogs holding a four-point edge, 47-43, at the 11:16 mark.  A three-pointer from sophomore LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) pushed the lead to seven, fellow sophomore Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) added two free throws and freshman Kaila Wiand (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) made it 53-43 with one charity toss.

 

        DVC never got any closer than seven points and DSU cruised the rest of the way.  In addition to Lutz, Burke finished in double digits with 15 points and added four assists and four steals.  Sophomore Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) totaled eight points and Sovak, Rarick and freshman Caitlin Miller (Fogelsville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) each chipped in with seven points.

 

        The Aggies were led by Rachel Joyce with a team-high 17 points.  Shannon O’Neill tallied 14 points and Kim Vennera finished with 10 to lead Delaware Valley.