Box Score BOX SCORE
Allentown, Pa. (November 29, 2007) – The DeSales University women's basketball team came into Thursday night's game shooting 45.0 percent from the field but converted just 37.9 percent in a 67-63 loss to local rival Muhlenberg College in a non-conference game.
DeSales (4-1 overall) loses for the first time all season and were held under 80+ points for the first time all year as the Muhlenberg defense frustrated the Bulldogs for most of the night. The win improves the Mules to 3-2 overall as they shot 43.1 percent and got 35 points from their bench in the win. The game featured 11 ties and eight lead changes and saw DSU shoot just 22.2 percent (6-for-27) three-point land in the loss.
The game was back-and-forth early as both teams were deadlocked at 20 points with 9:08 left in the opening half. Muhlenberg went on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 29-20 lead and held off an end of the half rally by the Bulldogs clinging to a seven-point advantage, 34-27.
The second half started out all DeSales as they cut a nine-point deficit early in the half into a five-point lead with an 18-4 run over the span of just over six minutes. Senior Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) started the run with a lay-up and sophomore Caitlin Miller (Fogelsville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) scored five straight points to make it 36-34.
Consecutive jumpers from junior Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) tied the game at 40 and Kuperavage nailed another jumper and junior LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) finished off the rally with a three-pointer to make it 45-40.
The Mules fought back tying the game several times and eventually at 55 on a jumper from Maiza Mock. After the Mules hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the hosts a six-point edge, Rarick and Burke answered with back-to-back treys to tie the game at 61 with 2:14 to go.
The Mules' Kelly McKeon and Burke traded jumpers to tie game at 63 before Lauren Boyle converted two free throws with 50 seconds left after being fouled on a drive into the lane to make it 65-63. DSU missed two lay-up opportunities on the other end and were forced to foul Muhlenberg where Boyle calmly sank two free throws to make it a four-point game and a Burke three-pointer with six seconds left was off the mark as time expired.
Burke led DeSales with a team-high 19 points and Rarick totaled 18 points and added four assists. Miller continued her board dominance recording her fourth double-double in five games with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Kuperavage had a very solid game with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Boyle led the Mules with a game-high 22 points and added six rebounds and five assists. O'Malley led the charge off the bench with 14 points, including four three-pointers and McKeon added nine points, five over the last four minutes of the game.
The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday, December 1st when they travel to Albright College for a non-conference game beginning at 2:00 pm. The game is scheduled to be web cast on the internet for those who can not attend at the following link - http://www.albright.edu/athletics/webcast.htm.
