St. David's, PA (February 13, 2019) - The #12/16 DeSales University women's basketball team held off Eastern University, 62-59, in a MAC Freedom defensive battle on Wednesday to set a new program record with 17 straight wins.

The Basics/Notes

• Final Score: DeSales - 62, Eastern - 59
• Records: DeSales (22-2, 13-0 Conf.); Eastern (10-14, 5-8 Conf)
• The win is DSU's 17th straight setting a new program record breaking the old mark of 16 wins set during the end of the 2002 season and the start of the 2003 season.
• The Bulldogs also snap Eastern's five game winning streak as they entered the game as one of the hottest teams in the MAC Freedom.

How it Happened

• DeSales trailed 13-8 early before finishing the first quarter on an 8-0 run thanks in part by two 3's from freshman Samantha Shinkus to take a 16-13 lead.
• DSU led throughout the second quarter and by as many as 11 starting the second quarter on an 8-0 run, adding up to a 16-0 streak to finish the first quarter and start the second quarter.
• Eastern chipped away at the advantage and the Bulldogs went cold over the final 7:49 of the first-half, scoring just four points to hold a slim 28-25 lead at the half.
• A layup from senior Morgan Birmelin at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter gave DSU a seven-point cushion (40-33), but Eastern dug in once again and clawed its way back, tying the contest at 42 after three quarters of play.
• DeSales led by six (52-46) after two Shinkus free throws with 3:24 to go before two straight buckets from the Eagles made it a two-point game with 2:29 left.
• Freshman Averi Jordan connected on two free throws to put DSU back up four and it was still a four-point game with 2:04 remaining after two freebies from Birmelin when the Eagles got within one on a three from Naomi Harris.
• Birmelin answered with a baseline jumper to put the Bulldogs back up three points and fellow senior Bridget Walsh got a huge block on the other end and Jordan canned two free throws with 1:04 on the clock.
• An Eastern bucket on the other end cut the margin down to three and both teams came up empty on its next possession and Shinkus iced the win with two free throws with 22 seconds left.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Shinkus finished with a double-double, her fourth of the season, with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
• Birmelin finished with 16 points and added four assists.
• Jordan had 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

For the Foes

• Regie Robinson had a monster game with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
• Viki Kneis also reached double digits wtih 12 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DSU struggled shooting the ball hitting just 27.9 percent from the field.
• The Bulldogs forced 21 Eagle turnovers, scoring 16 points, and committed just 13 miscues, only three in the second-half.
• DeSales was outstanding from the free throw line hitting 26-for-33 (78.8%).

Up Next

• The Bulldogs wrap-up the regular season on Saturday when they host Delaware Valley University on senior day beginning at 1:00 pm.