BOX SCORE

Center Valley, PA (February 11, 2010) – For those unable to get to Billera Hall on Thursday night because of the snow, I apologize, because you missed a herculean effort by senior Darnell Braswell (Allentown, PA/William Allen) as he recorded his fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 30 points and a career-high 14 rebounds including a three-pointer with 19 seconds left from two feet beyond the arc leading the DeSales University men's basketball team past Misericordia University, 63-59, in Freedom Conference action.

The win moves DeSales one step closer in securing home court advantage thru the Freedom Conference playoffs as the Bulldogs improve to 17-5 overall and 10-1 in the Freedom Conference, while the Cougars drop to 12-10 overall and 6-5 in the Freedom standings.

In addition to Braswell it was the Bulldogs defense that won this game, holding the opposition to under 60 points for the ninth time this season, improving DSU to 9-0 when they accomplish that feat. DeSales dominated the glass, holding a 40-24 edge on the boards, and held the Cougars to just 40.7 percent shooting, almost five percent below its season average coming into the game.

DSU started the game strong opening up a nine-point advantage (14-5) at the 10 minute mark on a lay-up from senior Charles Princiotto (Woodcliff Lake, NJ/Pascack Hills). A three-point play from freshman Brett Moyer (Souderton, PA/Christopher Dock) kept the lead at eight with 3:59 left, but the Cougars ended the half on a 10-3 run as the Bulldogs clung to a three-point halftime advantage.

Braswell had already recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds at the break, while Misericordia was on fire from three-point land hitting 6-of-10 three-pointers to get within a triple as both teams regrouped in the locker room.

Misericordia took control of the game at the start of the second half scoring 10 of the first 13 points to open up its largest lead, 39-35, at the 14:36 mark. Braswell went to work from there scoring six straight points for the Bulldogs to tie the score at 44 and junior Brian Hunter (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) followed with a lay-up and two free throws to give DSU a 48-46 lead with 8:46 left.

The two teams went back-and-forth over the next five minutes with DeSales clinging to a five-point lead (57-52) with 3:43 remaining. Dom Del Prete cut the lead to two points on MU's next possession but Braswell answered with his fourth trifecta of the game from the left baseline.

Consecutive hoops from senior Marcus Little pulled Misericordia within one point (60-59) and DeSales called timeout with the ball and 40 seconds on the clock. After working the ball around, Braswell got the ball at the top of the key, two feet outside the arc and rose up for a three that barely touched the net, swishing thru the hoop and putting the Bulldogs up four with 19 seconds left. Robbie Johnson's offensive put-back on the other end was pulled down by Braswell as time expired.

Braswell shot 11-of-17 from the field and canned 5-of-8 three-point attempts in 38 minutes of action. Hunter added eight points and had two steals and Princiotto gave the Bulldogs a terrific effort off the bench with a season-high tying six points and three assists.

Misericordia was led by Little with 16 points and Del Prete with 15 points. Jeff Slanovec added nine points, all of which came in the first half.

DSU returns to action on Saturday, February 13th when they travel to King's College for a Freedom Conference game beginning at 3:00 pm.