Center Valley, PA (January 6, 2018) - Juniors Morgan Birmelin (Honesdale, PA) and Leandra Sterner (Northampton, PA) combined for 36 points leading the DeSales University women's basketball team past Delaware Valley University, 60-55, in a MAC Freedom game on Saturday afternoon.

Birmelin finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocked shots, while Sterner tossed in a game-high 22 points and added three steals to lead the Bulldogs (7-6, 2-0 MAC Freedom).  Freshman Kristina Polak (Bethlehem, PA) added seven points off the bench and sophomore Molly Jansco (Newfoundland, PA) finished with five points and eight rebounds.

The Aggies (3-10, 0-2 MAC Freedom) got 18 points and seven rebounds from Ashley Smink and 12 points and eight boards from Monika Smallwood in the loss.  Morgan Mitchell also played well with eight assists and four steals.

DVU led nearly the entire first quarter and by as many as 15 points before a lay-up from junior Bridget Walsh (Dunmore, PA) late in the half made it a one-point game (17-16) after one quarter of play.  The Bulldogs scored eight of the first 10 points of the second quarter to take a 24-19 lead but Del. Val. out-scored DeSales, 12-4 over the final 6:12 of the half to take a 31-28 lead into the locker room.

The Bulldogs methodically reclaimed the lead in the third quarter and led by as many as five points once again (42-37) after a jumper from senior Kaitlin Kelly (Newtown, PA) but five quick points from the Aggies forced the seventh and final tie of the game at 42 before two Birmelin free throws gave DSU a 44-42 advantage after three quarters.

DeSales clung to a short lead almost the entire fourth quarter and eventually extended its advantage to the largest for either team with 2:44 to go (58-52) before Smink hit a three-pointer at the 1:02 mark to pull DVU within three.  Birmelin was long on a trey on DSU's next possession but a tying three from Smink was off the mark but the Aggies retained possesion on an offensive board from Danielle Skedzielweski.  After two timeouts, the Aggies retained possession with 10 seconds left but a three from Skedzielweski was long and Sterner iced the win from the line after being fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass.

DSU shook off a tough shooting afternoon, hitting just 33.9 percent from the field, forcing the Aggies into 22 turnovers to earn the win.  The Bulldogs also did a terrfic job at the free throw line hitting 16-for-20, including a perfect 15-for-15 in the second half to earn the home victory.

DeSales is back in action on Wednesday, January 10th at Manhattanville College beginning at 8:00 pm.