Allentown, PA (November 16, 2021) - The DeSales University women's basketball team shot 27.6 percent from the field dropping its second straight game to start the seasoon, 65-61, at Muhlenberg College in non-conference action on Tuesday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: Muhlenberg - 65, #9 DeSales - 61
• Records: DeSales (0-2 Overall); Muhlenberg (2-0 Overall)
• The loss snaps a two-game winning streak vs. the Mules and drops DSU's all-time lead in the season series down to 30-20.

How it Happened

• DeSales started quickly for the second straight game opening up a 12-4 lead thanks in part to 3's by senior Rylie Rittenhouse and junior Megan Bealer.
• Muhlenberg used a 9-2 run to take a 19-18 lead before the Bulldogs responded quickly with an 11-0 spurt of their own keyed by sophomore Mikaela Reese scoring seven points to take a 29-19 lead at the 6:56 mark of the second quarter.
• The lead was 11 (33-22) with just over five minutes left when the Bulldogs went ice cold, scoring just one more point the rest of the half, clinging to a 34-32 halftime advantage.
• The Mules scored the first nine points of the third quarter to take a 41-34 lead as DSU continued to be ice cold from the field.
• Senior Averi Jordan hit two freebies to break the scoreless streak igniting a 17-4 run to end the third quarter and start the fourth as DeSales took a 51-45 lead at the 9:45 mark of the final 10 minutes.
• Muhlenberg chipped away and took a 55-53 lead before sophomore Lindsey Welsh answered with a 3 giving DSU a one-point lead at the 5:52 mark.
• A three-point play from sophomore Kate Early broke a tie at 58 giving DSU a 61-58 cushion but the Bulldogs went cold again being held scoreless over the final 3:19 as the Mules stole the win.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Reese led the Bulldogs in scoring with 15 points, despite playing just 20 minutes leaving the game early in third quarter with a leg injury.
• Rittenhouse recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Jordan had eight points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 2-for-14 from the field.
• Sophomore Amelia Saunders led the charge off the bench with nine points and Welsh added seven.

For the Foes

• Sara Peretti led the Mules with 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
• Margaux Eripret had 15 points and eight rebounds.

Inside the Box Score

• DSU shot just 27.6 percent from the field and was 6-for-28 from outside the arc.
• Muhlenberg out-rebounded DeSales, 49-45.
• The two teams combined for 48 turnovers as the Mules scored 24 points off DSU's 21 miscues.

Up Next

• DSU returns to action on Friday when they take on Gwynedd-Mercy University in the opening game of the Messiah University Tournament Friday and Saturday.