Madison, NJ, (February 8, 2006) – The DeSales University women’s basketball team out-scored FDU-Florham by 13 points in the second half erasing a six-point halftime deficit to earn a 66-59 win over the Devils in Freedom Conference action on Wednesday evening in the Ferguson Recreation Center.

 

        Both teams shot poorly from the field as DSU (13-9, 7-4 Freedom) converted just 27.4 percent of its shots and the Devils (14-8, 4-7 Freedom) canned just 31.1 percent of their attempts.  The Bulldogs forced 27 FDU turnovers and shot 78.1 percent (25-of-32) from the free throw line to gain the important conference victory.

 

        Florham increased its six-point halftime edge by three points on two Ashley Flaherty free throws to open the second half and the Devils continued to lead by eight, 46-38 with 14:06 left before DSU took the game over.

 

        A three-pointer from junior Kirby Lutz (Easton, PA/Pen Argyl) started a 7-0 run that cut the deficit down to one point at 46-45.  The two teams went back and forth over the next three minutes with FDU holding a three-point edge, 51-48, with 7:26 to go.

 

        One free throw from both freshman Lindsey Sykes (Avalon, NJ/Middle Township) and sophomore Jenna Stampf (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) started an 8-0 run that gave DSU its first lead of the second-half, 56-51, with 2:37 to go.  Sophomore Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) hit a trey to make it 53-51 and freshman LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) canned her only three of the game to make it a five point game.

 

        Emily Cerankowski answered the Burke three-pointer with one of her own but freshman Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) found a wide open Kuperavage for a short jumper on the other end to make it 58-54 at the 1:54 mark.

 

        Cerankowski made 1-of-2 from the foul line to make it 58-55, but Burke was fouled on DSU’s next possession and she made both free throws to push the lead up to five points, 60-55, and Rarick made six straight free throws down the stretch to provide the final margin.

 

        DSU jumped out early in the first-half and led 10-6 at the 12:49 mark before a 10-0 Devil run gave the hosts a six-point edge at the 10:54 mark.  Lutz hit consecutive three-pointers to tie the game at 16.  FDU held a 24-23 advantage with just under five minutes to play before a 6-0 Devil run made it 30-23 and the two teams headed to the locker rooms with FDU holding a 33-27 lead.

 

        Lutz led DeSales with a game-high 20 points on the strength of five three-pointers.  Kuperavage recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Rarick totaled 13 points including a 7-for-7 effort from the free throw line.  Burke finished with eight points, a season-high 10 assists and six rebounds in the win.

 

        Flaherty recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, Cerankowski totaled 18 points, Danielle Yasko had 11 points and Nicole Iannotto had 10 points to round out the double figure scorers for the Devils.