Allentown, PA (January 16, 2017) - A last second runner from sophopmore Leandra Sterner fell off the front rim as a late rally by the DeSales University women's basketball team fell short in a 63-61 loss at Muhlenberg College on Monday evening in Memorial Hall.

The Bulldogs (11-4) had control nearly the entire game and led by nine (48-39) entering the fourth quarter when they went cold from the field.  DSU opened the final quarter missing its first eight shots and the Mules (9-6) took advantage using a 16-1 run over the first seven minutes of the final stanza to take a 55-49 lead, its largest of the game, on a three from Rachel Plotke at the 3:22 mark.

Sterner broke the string with a three-point play in the lane and after two MC free throws junior Kaitlin Kelly hit a three on the other end making it a two-point game (57-55) with 2:05 to go.  Four straight points from the Mules pushed the deficit back to six but sophomore Katie Miller kept the Bulldogs in it with a corner three with 58 seconds left making it a three-point game.

One free throw from the Mules' Brandi Vallely pushed the margin to four points but senior Morgan McCollian came thru on the next possession with a three-point play cutting it down to a one-point game with 44 seconds left.

On the ensuing inbounds, senior Nikki Callahan swiped the ball giving DSU possession down one but a running one-hander in the lane by Miller was blocked and Carley Hamilton was fouled on the rebound with 17 seconds left.  Hamilton missed the second of two free throws as DSU grabbed the board down two.  With the shot clock winding down, Sterner drove the lane and found a seam on the right side but her underhanded lay-up was off the front rim as time expired on the rebound.

DSU led 29-22 mid-way thu the second quarter before the Mules finished the half on a 10-2 run scoring at the buzzer tying the game at 31 into the half.  The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter out-scoring Muhlenberg 17-8 and holding MC to just two field goals, but DSU went cold itself to start the fourth quarter, while Muhlenberg hit 6-for-9 from the field, including three 3's in the final quarter to earn the win.

Sterner finished the game with a team-high 15 points and added five assists with no turnovers.  Miller added 12 points, on four 3's, and McCollian finished with 10 points and six rebounds.  Kelly added nine points off the bench.

Plotke led the Mules with a game-high 18 points, shooting 5-for-7 from outside the arc.  Vallely added 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Sara Dilly finished with 10 points and four steals in the win.

DeSales held Muhlenberg to just 31.7 percent shooting but sent the Mules to the line 25 times where they converted 20 freebies.  DSU had 10 3's in the loss.

The Bulldogs are right back to action on Wednesday when they host Wilkes University in MAC Freedom action.