BOX SCORE

Center Valley, PA (November 22, 2009) – The DeSales University women's basketball put on a defensive clinic in the second half on Sunday, out-scoring Wesley College, 39-16, turning a two-point halftime deficit into an 23-point win over the Wolverines in the championship game of the Starter's Pub Tip-Off Tournament held in Billera Hall.

The Bulldogs improve to 3-0 overall with the win, while Wesley falls to 2-1 overall. DSU held Wesley to just 16.1 percent (5-for-31) shooting in the second half and out-rebounded the Wolverines, 27-16 in the second half. DeSales turned around a poor first-half shooting performance to shoot 44.8 percent (13-for-29) in the second half and was an impressive 17-for-21 from the charity stripe (81.0 percent) for the game.

After Wesley led for almost the entire first half, DeSales took control from the very start of the second half as they held the Wolverines without a field goal for the first seven minutes when junior Cory Boyd ended the cold spell with a three-pointer at the 13:04 mark. During that seven minute stretch DSU had turned a two-point halftime deficit into an eight point lead (39-31) before the Boyd trey.

Sophomore Hannah Smith (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) answered the Boyd triple with one of her own to push the lead back to eight on the very next possession. Over the next six minutes the game went back-and-forth as DeSales clung to a four-point lead (49-45) at the 6:34 mark when senior Kaila Wiand (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) connected on a three-pointer that ignited an 18-1 run to end the game as DeSales won going away, posting the final 67-46 victory. During the run Wiand and junior Lori Lidlow (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) each had six points.

Senior Caitlin Miller (Fogelsville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player as she finished with her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds on a perfect 11-for-11 effort from the free throw line. Lidlow and Wiand were also named to the All-Tournament Team from the Bulldogs as Lidlow totaled 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Wiand finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Smith and sophomore Cherelle Simmons (Lancaster, PA/JP McCaskey) also played well as Simmons totaled seven points, five rebounds, and four assists, and Smith added four assists and four points with just one turnover in 33 minutes at the point guard spot.

Boyd and Angie Owens each earned All-Tournament honors for the Wolverines. Owens totaled 14 points and 12 boards, while Boyd finished with 15 points and four assists.

In the consolation game, Juniata rolled past Lycoming College, 72-54, out-rebounding the Warriors, 48-38, and forcing 24 Lycoming turnovers. Jen Hnatuck was named to the All-Tournament Team for the Eagles as she recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

DeSales returns to the court on Tuesday, November 24th when they host local rival Moravian College in a non-conference game beginning at 6:00 pm. For those unable to attend you can follow the game online either via LIVE Stats or LIVE Audio.