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Center Valley, PA (February 6, 2010) – Just less than a month ago things did not look particularly good for the DeSales University women's basketball, just 1-3 in the Freedom Conference, but since that time the Bulldogs have dominated winning seven of eight games and six straight after an 84-77 win over Delaware Valley College in Freedom Conference action on Saturday night in Billera Hall.

DSU is now 12-9 overall and 7-3 in the Freedom Conference, sitting in a tie for second place with the Aggies (15-6, 7-3 Freedom), just one game behind Manhattanville College, and ½ game ahead of Misericordia University (who hosts Eastern on Sunday). The Bulldogs conclude a week that saw them avenge two earlier season losses, winning at Manhattanville on Wednesday (53-52) and tonight vs. Delaware Valley. Up next for the Bulldogs, Misericordia on Wednesday, and their third and final chance to avenge an earlier season loss.

DeSales wanted this game from the very start, scoring the first 10 points of the contest. Early on it was the Kelly Magrann (Sinking Spring, PA/Holy Name) show as the senior scored 13 of her 15 points over the first 5:13 of the game, staking the Bulldogs to a 21-4 lead at the 14:47 mark.

The Aggies closed to within nine, scoring eight straight points, but seven straight points from the Bulldogs including a three-ball from sophomore Hannah Smith (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) pushed the lead back to 16 points with just under 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. The lead was 20 at the 4:03 mark and became 22 at the break on a three-pointer from junior Megan Montchyk (Bellmawr, NJ/Paul VI) with 10 seconds left.

DSU was on fire in the first twenty minutes, shooting 64.3 percent from the field, and dishing out 14 assists on 18 made baskets. The Aggies on the other hand were ice cold, shooting just 27.8 percent.

The start of the second half was more of the same as DSU built a 25 point lead, 61-36, at the 11:57 mark before Delaware Valley, particularly Brittany Battinieri, caught fire. Eight straight points by Battinieri started a 14-0 run over the next three minutes cutting the margin down to 11 points with 8:10 to go.

Junior Lori Lidlow (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) scored four quick points and after a free throw from senior Kaila Wiand (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford), DSU led by 16 with 6:46 left. Two more free throws, this time from Lidlow, pushed the lead to 17 with 4:10 remaining, but seven straight points from Battinieri and a three-ball from Kim Vennera got the Aggies within eight with 1:39 left to play.

Wiand and Lidlow each made one free throw to make it a nine-point game but a three-point play from Battinieri again turned the contest into a two-possession game with 1:01 remaining but Lidlow canned two free throws and three straight misses from beyond the arc spoiled any Delaware Valley comeback attempt as the Bulldogs secured their sixth straight win.

DSU finished the game shooting 45.0 percent from the field, while the Aggies canned 12-of-28 three-point attempts in the loss. DeSales had 21 assists and just 18 turnovers and was a very efficient 8-for-14 (57.1 percent) from three-point land.

Lidlow finished with a career-high 34 points, doing so on 9-of-20 shooting and a 14-for-19 effort at the free throw line. Magrann finished with 15 points, missing just one shot, while sophomore Cherelle Simmons (Lancaster, PA/JP McCaskey) totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. Smith had an excellent all-around game with five points, five rebounds, seven assists, no turnovers, and two steals, while Montchyk (8 points) and Wiand (6 points) led the charge off the bench.

Battinieri finished with 42 points; one shy of the Aggie single-game record and Vennera totaled 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.

The Bulldogs return home and to Freedom Conference play on Wednesday, when they host Misericordia University in another very important Freedom Conference game beginning at 6:00 pm. For those unable to attend you will be able to follow the game's progress online via LIVE Stats and Audio.