Montclair, NJ (December 30, 2017) - The DeSales University women's basketball team dropped its fourth straight game falling to #1 Tufts University, 81-42, in the consolation game of the Gelston/Paskert Holiday Tournament at Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (5-6), whose last three opponents have combined for a 32-2 record this season, were led by junior Morgan Birmelin (Honesdale, PA), who earned All-Tournament Team honors, with 10 points and five assists.  

Tufts (10-1) saw four players reach double digits including Melissa Baptista with a double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds, Jac Knapp with 14 points, Emily Briggs with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Lauren Dillon with 10 tallies.

DSU hung tough with the national runners-up from last season holding a three-point lead twice and finishing the first quarter tied at 19 with the Jumbos.

TU took control in the second quarter as the Bulldogs hit just 3-for-18 in the quarter and Tufts out-scored DeSales, 20-6.  The surge continued out of the halftime locker room as the Jumbos out-scored the Bulldogs, 23-7, to lead by 30 after three quarters and never looked back from there.

The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 32.2 percent from the field and forced a season-low 10 turnovers.  Tufts scored 28 second-chance points and out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 54-32, in the win.

DeSales finishes its non-conference schedule and will return to action with the first MAC Freedom game of the year on Wednesday, January 3rd at Eastern University.  Game time is set for 8:00 pm (note the new time).