Box Score BOX SCORE
Center Valley, Pa. (February 16, 2008) – The DeSales University women's basketball team made sure it will be playing at home for as long as they last in the Freedom Conference playoffs, clinching the #1 seed in the postseason with a convincing 79-43 win over FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs, who have now won 10-straight games, improve to 21-3 overall and 10-1 in the Freedom Conference. The Devils fall to 15-8 overall and 6-4 in the Freedom with the loss. DSU concludes its regular season schedule on Tuesday when they travel to Arcadia University and will then have eight days off prior to hosting a semifinal game in Billera Hall on Wednesday, February 27th.
The Bulldogs took complete control of the game today from the opening tip as they held FDU without a point for the first 7:51 of the game as they raced out to a 19-0 lead. Junior LeighAnn Burke (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) led the fast start with 11 of the 19 points as four different players scored for DeSales.
The lead never went lower than 16 points the rest of the as DSU enjoyed a 30-point halftime lead (43-13) and cruised in the second half, leading by as many as 43 points. The Bulldogs shot a blistering 54.7 percent from the field (29-of-53) and forced 27 FDU turnovers in the win. The Devils converted just 27.1 percent and were out-rebounded, 34-27, by DeSales.
Head Coach Fred Richter was excited about the win saying, “Our defense has been tremendous during this 10-game winning streak and it was no different today creating numerous turnovers, especially at the start of the game, enabling us to get some easy baskets and jump out to a big lead. We are excited about clinching the top seed in the playoffs but know that to be successful we have to continue work hard and to play strong defensive basketball for the rest of the season.”
Burke was once again tremendous on the offensive end today totaling 29 points in just 25 minutes on 12-of-15 shooting, including a 3-for-3 effort from outside the arc. Sophomore Caitlin Miller (Fogelsville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The senior trio of Jenna Stampf (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) with six points off the bench, Amanda Kuperavage (Port Carbon, PA/Nativity BVM) with eight points, six rebounds and three assists and Rose Katz (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional) with two points all played in their last regular season home game.
Junior Emily Cerankowski was the lone double digit scorer for the Devils with 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting.
DSU will conclude its regular season schedule on Tuesday, February 19th when they travel to Arcadia University for a Freedom Conference game beginning at 6:00 pm.
