Center Valley, PA (December 29, 2019) - Junior Matt Kachelries hustled over to the baseline to block a three-point attempt at the buzzer finishing off a 62-60 win for the DeSales University men's basketball team over William Paterson University in the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament championship game on Sunday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: DeSales - 62, William Paterson - 60
• Records: DeSales (6-4 overall); Wiliam Paterson (6-5)
• This is the 10th time DeSales has taken home the Tournament title in the 17-year history of the tournament.

How it Happened

• The Pioneers started quickly scoring the first seven points of the game and led 11-3 6:10 into the contest as the Bulldogs struggled to find their offensive rythmn.
• DSU closed to within two points twice with the final time coming at 22-20 before WPU finished the half on a 9-4 run to take a 31-24 lead into the locker room.
• The Paterson lead grew to as many as 12 points early in the second-half before DeSales scored eight quick points on two 3's from junior Mike Bealer and a bucket from fellow junior Timmy Edwards to get within four at the 16:08 mark.
• It was a six-point deficit with 10:56 to go when the Bulldogs took its first lead of the contest using a 10-0 run to take a 49-45 lead with 8:16 remaining that included five points from senior Ben Pratt and another trey from Bealer.
• The advantage grew to six points (55-49) at the 5:21 mark before the Pioneers tied the game at 56 with 2:45 to go.
• On the tying basket, WPU's Anthony Uribe was issued a technical foul for taunting and Pratt hit two free throws to give the Bulldogs the lead right back and Edwards scored on the ensuing possession to make it 60-56 with 2:24 left.
• The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes as DSU clung to a 62-58 lead with 51 ticks left.
• Sean Smith hit two freebies on the next possession to make it a two-point game and after grabbng an offensive rebound, Pratt was called for an offensive foul giving WPU possession with 8.5 seconds left.
• The Pioneers called timeout with 4.9 left in the front court and out of the timeout, Malcolm McLeod broke free for a three in the corner but Kachelries hustled over to get a piece of the shot as time expired.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Four players were in double digits for the Bulldogs including Edwards with a team-high 13 off the bench and Bealer with 12 on four three-pointers.
• Pratt added 11 points and Kachelries had 10 points.
• Kachelries earned Most Valuable Player honors and sophomore Keba Mitchell was also named to the All-Tournament Team finishing with five points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in Sunday's win.

For the Foes

• McLeod led the Pioneers with 16 points and Mignone added 15 as both were named to the All-Tournament Team for WPU.
• Smith also reached double digits with 13 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales shook off a tough shooting first-half (36.4%) to hit 53.6 percent from the field in the second-half.
• The Bulldogs bench was once again outstanding out-scoring WPU's, 32-5.
• William Paterson took advantage of 22 Bulldog turnovers to score 24 points.

Up Next

• The Bulldogs are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Arcadia University for the final non-conference game of the season beginning at 1:00 pm.