Dallas, PA (December 5, 2015) – For the second straight game the DeSales University women's basketball team relied heavily on its defense grinding out a 58-55 win at Misericordia University in MAC Freedom play on Saturday afternoon at the Anderson Center.
 
The Bulldogs (4-2, 2-0 MAC Freedom) seemed to be in complete control of this game scoring the first 10 points of the second-half to open up a 21 point lead (37-16) before Misericordia (3-4, 0-2 MAC Freedom) battled all the way back using a 12-1 run over a span of 5:51 taking a 55-51 lead with just 1:08 left to play in the final quarter.
 
A free throw by junior Morgan McCollian with 51 seconds left pulled DSU to within three points and junior Nikki Callahan got a steal on the inbounds giving the Bulldogs possession.  Freshman Morgan Birmelin was off the mark on a lay-up but MU's Ashley Johnson walked after securing the rebound giving the ball right back to DeSales with 44 ticks left.
 
This time sophomore Kaitlin Kelly took advantage hitting a three-pointer from the left wing tying the game at 55 with 42 seconds on the inbounds pass.
 
After a Cougar timeout Birmelin came up with a steal and was immediately fouled in the backcourt sending her to the line for two shots where she calmly sank both charity tosses with 16 seconds giving DSU a 57-55 advantage.
 
MU missed a lay-up and McCollian blocked a three-pointer on the ensuing possession as Callahan knocked down one free throw as time expired after a desperation three-pointer from Misericordia that was well short.
 
Birmelin and McCollian each led the Bulldogs with 16 points.  McCollian tallied her third double-double adding 13 rebounds and Birmelin pulled down seven boards.  Junior Nicole Umbenhauer had a strong game off the bench with eight points and Callahan was terrific totaling a career-high seven steals and adding four assists in the win.
 
Justine Seely led the Cougars' with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks, while Rachel Carmody totaled 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
DSU dominated the first-half holding Misericordia to just three points in the second quarter to enjoy a 27-16 lead at the half.
 
The Bulldogs defense helped overcome a 27.6 percent shooting performance and a 2-for-17 effort from beyond the arc on the road.  DSU did take excellent care of the ball committing just 12 turnovers for the game.  DeSales also took advantage of 19 offensive rebounds, scoring 15 second chance points.

Callahan earns A.B.E. Doors and Windows Player of the game honors setting a new career-high with seven steals for the Bulldogs.
 
The Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Stevens Institute of Technology for a non-conference game beginning at 6:00 pm.