Center Valley, PA (November 28, 2018) - The DeSales University men's basketball team returned home for the first time in five games to an unfriendly set of rims falling to Arcadia University, 77-68, on a tough shooting night for the Bulldogs in non-conference action in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: Arcadia - 77, DeSales - 68
• Records: DeSales (3-4); Arcadia (4-2)

How it Happened

• Leading 8-6 early the DeSales defense led an 11-0 run over the span of 4:28 pushing the lead up to 13 points (19-6) with 8:36 left in the opening half as five different Bulldogs scored during the run and the DSU defense held AU without a field goal in seven attempts.
• DSU continued to lead by 11 after a three from junior Tracy Simsick at the 6:04 mark before the Knights found its offensive touch and finished the half on a 17-3 over the last 5:39 to take a 30-27 lead into the halftime locker room.
• AU was 6-for-6 from the field during the stretch, while the Bulldogs missed all five of their shots and committed three turnovers.
• After Arcadia went up five early in the second half DeSales took a brief two-point lead (35-33) on a Simsick jumper at the 16:22 mark.
• The Knights took control over the next 4:35, using a 14-0 run that saw them can 8-for-10 from the foul line and DeSales miss seven straight shots, including five from outside the arc, as Arcadia took a 47-35 lead with 11:12 left to play.
• The Bulldogs pulled to within seven on back-to-back 3's from sophomore Matt Kachelries and Simsick but were never able to get any closer the rest of the way.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Senior Luke Connaghan finished with 22 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night and pulled down eight rebounds.
• Simsick finished with 16 points.
• Kachelries totaled nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the loss.

For the Foes

• Phil Pierfy finished with a game-high 23 points and pulled down eight boards.
• Da'Kquan Davis added 14 points, while Evan Slone and Josh Scott each had 13 tallies.

Inside the Box Score

• DSU shot just 39.0 percent from the field for the game and was 5-for-27 from deep.
• AU had a 41-32 edge on the glass leading to a 16-6 advantage in second-chance points.
• DeSales did force 23 Knight turnovers leading to 16 points for the Bulldogs.

Up Next

• DeSales is off this weekend and will travel to FDU-Florham for the first MAC Freedom game of the season next Wednesday with game time set for 6:00 pm (please take note of the time change with the men tipping first on Wednesday).