Center Valley, PA, (February 1, 2006) – Four played reached double digits and freshman LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) continued her hot shooting leading the DeSales University women’s basketball team past Drew University, 76-60, in Freedom Conference action on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.

 

        The Bulldogs (12-8, 6-3 Freedom) shot 42.9 percent in both halves and had 20 assists to just 12 turnovers in recording the win.  The Rangers (9-10, 4-5 Freedom) suffer their fourth straight loss after converting just 27.6 percent of their shots in the opening half and turning the ball over 20 times for the game.

 

        DeSales used a 15-4 run mid-way thru the first half to open up an 11-point lead at 20-9 with 7:28 showing on the clock.  Junior Kirby Lutz (Easton, PA/Pen Argyl) keyed the run with nine straight points during the middle portion of the spurt and Burke wrapped up the rally with a trey.

 

        The Rangers scored eight straight points to pull within three, but a 13-6 spurt to end the half saw DeSales leading by 10 on the scoreboard, 33-23.  Lutz had a game-high 11 points at the break and Burke totaled 10 to lead the Bulldogs.

 

        After Drew had pulled within seven twice in the early stages of the second half, DSU used an 8-0 run to push the lead to 15 points, 43-28, with 16:00 to play.  A Burke lay-up started the run, sophomore Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) hit a long jumper and Burke hit a three to highlight the spurt.

 

        The Rangers were able to get within seven once more at the 12:25 mark but DSU quickly pushed the lead back up to double digits and never looked back.

 

        Burke finished with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.  Lutz totaled 16 points, Kuperavage totaled 13 points and freshman Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) had one of her best games all season recording her first-ever double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.  Rarick’s 11 assists came without making a single turnover in 39 minutes of action.

 

        The junior combination of Melissa Kraft and Courtney Cunningham combined for 39 of the Rangers 60 points.  Kraft had 22 and Cunningham finished with 17 while both players pulled down eight rebounds and Kraft dished a team-high six assists.