Scranton, PA (November 26, 2018) - In a battle of two potential top 25 teams at the end of the season the DeSales University women's basketball team fell just short in its upset bid at 8th ranked Scranton, 63-58, in a tightly contested non-conference game on Monday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: Scranton - 63, DeSales - 58
• Records: DeSales (4-1); Scranton (4-0)

How it Happened

• The Bulldogs came out firing scoring 18 of the first 22 points to take an 18-4 lead early with senior Bridget Walsh scoring six early points.
• After the Lady Royals pulled to within six points early in the second quarter a 10-0 Bulldog run pushed the advantage up 16 points (34-18) at the 3:56 mark after five points from both freshman Samantha Shinkus and freshman Averi Jordan.49-46)
• DSU then went cold from the field over the final 3:56 missing its final four shots and Scranton back into the game from the free throw line hitting 8-for-8 over the final 3:56 to go into the locker room on a 10-0 run and trailing by just six (34-28).
• A jumper from Birmelin and another three from Jordan pushed the lead back up 10 early in the third quarter.
• The two teams traded short quick runs the rest of the quarter and UofS scored the final three points of the quarter to get within three (49-46) after three.
• Still leading by three 1:16 into the final stanza, DeSales went cold again as Scranton scored nine straight to take a 57-51 lead with 5:02 to go.
• Birmelin ended the drought with a lay-up and sophomore Isabel Caruso hit a three with 3:26 remaining to pull the Bulldogs with a triple (59-56).
• Following a Lady Royal free throw, a Birmelin steal on the ensuing defensive possession led to an uncontested layup as DeSales trailed by just two (60-58) with 1:16 left.
• DeSales suffocated Scranton on the other end leading to a shot clock violation and giving the Bulldogs possession with 27 seconds left.
• Walsh had a wide open look at the foul line to tie the game with 20 seconds that rimmed out off the front iron and after one Lady Royal free throw came up short on the next possession down three as Scranton iced it from the line with 2.7 seconds left.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Shinkus played well scoring a team-high 14 points and pulling down seven rebounds.
• Walsh was outstanding with nine points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high eight blocked shots tying the record for most blocks in a game.
• Birmelin and Jordan each had 10 points, while Birmelin added seven assists and four steals and Jordan blocking four shots.

For the Foes

• Sofia Recupero had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
• Emily Sheehan had 14 points.

Inside the Box Score/Notes

• Scranton entered the game ranked #8 in the D3hoops.com National Top 25 poll, while DeSales was third among teams receiving votes with 33.
• Both teams shot well from outside the arc with DSU hitting 42.9 percent and Scranton canning 47.1 percent.
• It was a dead split on the glass with each team grabbing 40 boards.
• Scranton had an edge on the line, attempting 23 free throws to just nine for the Bulldogs.

Up Next

• The Bulldogs are right back to action on Wednesday when they return home to host Gwynedd-Mercy University in another important non-conference game beginning at 6:00 pm.