Box Score BOX SCORE
Purchase, NY (January 26, 2008) – The DeSales University women's basketball team held off a furious late rally from Manhattanville College to win its fourth straight game, 62-57, in a Freedom Conference game on Saturday afternoon in Kennedy Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs (15-3, 4-1 Freedom) controlled the game for the first 30 minutes of the game leading by 11 points at the half when they shot 46.4 percent from the field and canned 4-of-7 three-pointers over the first 20 minutes. Junior LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) totaled 17 first-half points to lead the Bulldogs as the Valiants were victim of 16 first-half turnovers.
The first 10 minutes of the second half was much of the same as DSU opened up a 19-point lead on two different occasions with the last coming at the 9:59 mark on two free throws from senior Jenna Stampf (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame).
The Bulldogs went cold from the field at that point missing its next 12 shots as the Valiants battled back to pull within seven, 58-51, with 2:05 to play. Sophomore Caitlin Miller (Fogelsville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) broke the scoreless streak at the 1:44 mark with a lay-up in the lane to put DSU up nine, 60-51.
A lay-in from Nina Johnson cut the margin down to seven points 90 seconds left and after a Bulldog turnover, Olivia Nastasi hit two free throws to cut the lead to five with 54 seconds left. After a DSU timeout, junior Kim Rarick (Ringtown, PA/North Schuylkill) missed a short jumper giving the Valiants the ball back and MC took advantage as Nastasi made a short jumper to pull Manhattanville within three at 60-57.
Another DSU turnover on the next possession gave the Valiants the ball back with a chance to tie the game but a missed jumper was rebounded by Miller who was quickly fouled and she made both freebies to secure the win and post the final margin.
DSU shot just 31.0 percent from the field in the second half. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Valiants, 36-28, and forced 23 MC turnovers. DeSales continued its excellent shooting at the free throw line converting 92.9 percent (13-of-14).
Burke finished with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting including a 4-for-4 effort from beyond the arc. Burke also pulled down seven boards, had three assists and made four steals in the win. Miller collected her eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Rarick added nine points, three assists and three steals for the Bulldogs.
Nastasi led Manhattanville with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting and Johnson also totaled double digits with 14 points and added three blocks and three steals. Jessica Kane had seven points, six assists and five assists in the loss.
The Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday, January 30th when they host Arcadia University in a Freedom Conference game beginning at 6:00 pm. For those unable to attend you can follow online via LIVE stats at the following link – CLICK HERE.
