Center Valley, PA (December 7, 2016) - Senior Megan Baird hit a deep three-pointer with 2.4 seconds left supporting a strong defensive effort lifting the DeSales University women's basketball team past Stevens Institute of Technology, 54-53, in non-conference action on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.

The Bulldogs (6-1) had missed 12 straight shots in the fourth quarter after taking their largest lead (7 points) with 8:07 to play but their defense kept the game close setting up the final minute.  The Ducks (0-5) scored with 1:18 left on the clock taking a 53-51 lead.  After a Bulldog miss on the other end DSU got a huge defensive stop and rebound from senior Nicole Umbenhauer giving DeSales possession with 21 seconds left.  Out of a timeout Baird let go on a three-pointer but her shot was short.  She gathered her own rebound and quickly launched a second off-balance shot but that was off the mark but sophomore Katie Miller was in position for that rebound as the Bulldogs called another timeout with six seconds left.

Out of that timeout Umbenhauer received the inbounds pass, swung the ball over to Baird on the right wing, she took one dribble and let go on a three from a foot behind the three-point line that rolled thru the net with 2.4 ticks left.  A last second jumper from the foul line was off the side rim for the Ducks as time expired giving DSU its fourth straight victory.

Senior Morgan McCollian finished with a team-high 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Baird and Miller each totaled 15 points, a season-high for Baird and a career-high for Miller.  Miller also had six steals and a team-high three assists.

Stevens got 17 points from Kaitlyn Astel, 13 points and 12 boards from Megan Brown, and 10 points from Erica Guketlov in the loss.

This game was a defensive battle for all 40 minutes.  The first-half featured four ties and seven lead changes and ended with DSU holding a slim one point lead (27-26) after a free throw from Baird with three seconds left.  DSU caught fire in the third quarter shooting 7-for-12 from the field to open a three-point lead (46-43) and extended the advantage to seven after two free throws and a Baird jumper to start the fourth quarter setting up the final eight minutes.

The Bulldog bench was the story out-scoring the Ducks, 19-2, in the game.  DSU also hit 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from three-point land and forced 23 Duck turnovers leading to 21 points in the win.

DeSales is now off for a week and a half for finals and will return to action on Tuesday, December 20th when they host nationally ranked Albright College in Billera Hall beginning at 7:00 pm.