Purchase, NY (January 10, 2018) - The DeSales University women's basketball team dropped its first MAC Freedom game of the season falling at Manhattanville College, 60-53, on Wednesday evening in Kennedy Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs (7-7, 2-1 MAC Freedom) got 23 points from junior Leandra Sterner (Northampton, PA) and 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and seven steals from junior Morgan Birmelin (Honesdale, PA) to lead the way.

Manhattanville (11-1, 2-0 MAC Freedom) got a team-high 16 points from Kayleah McGuire, 12 points from Nancy Caballero, and 11 points from Kymane Jones in the win.

DeSales had a good first quarter leading by as many as six points before settling for a 15-11 lead after one but struggled to score in the second quarter as the Valiants out-scored the Bulldogs, 24-8, in the second quarter to take a 35-23 lead into the locker room.

MVC continued to lead by double digits throughout the third quarter before DeSales made a mini run in the fourth quarter.  After a three from freshman Isabel Caruso (Gibbsboro, NJ) and a short jumper from junior Bridget Walsh (Dunmore, PA) the Bulldogs pulled to within seven points (55-48) with 2:35 to go.

After a jumper from Manhattanville, senior Kaitlin Kelly (Newtown, PA) answered with another three to get DSU within six at the 1:47 mark but the Bulldogs missed their next three shots as the Valiants iced the win from the line.

DSU shot just 28.8 percent from the field for the game, while the Valiants converted 43.4 percent.  The Bullodgs forced 28 turnovers but committed 22 of their own in the loss.

DeSales looks to get back into the win column on Saturday when they host FDU-Florham in MAC Freedom action beginning at 1:00 pm.