Hoboken, NJ (January 18, 2023) - The #6 DeSales University women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season falling to #17 Stevens, 49-48, in MAC Freedom action on Wednesday evening in Canavan Arena.

The Basics

• Final Score: #17 Stevens - 49, #6 DeSales - 48
• Records: #6 DeSales (15-1, 7-1 MAC Freedom); Stevens (15-2, 8-0 MAC Freedom)
• The loss snaps a 48-game winning streak in MAC Freedom games including the postseason.
• It also snaps a six-game winning streak vs. the Ducks dropping its record to 8-3 in the all-time series.

How it Happened

• Stevens scored the first six points of the game before the Bulldogs realed off eight straight to take an 8-6 lead and led by three (19-16) after one quarter of play.
• DSU continued to lead throughout the entire second quarter but the Ducks hit a running 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to trail by just one point (27-26) at the break.
• Tied at 33 in the third quarter junior Amelia Saunders hit a step-back three and followed that up with a driving lay-up to give the Bulldogs a five point cushion but once again the Ducks beat the buzzer hitting a three as th buzzer sounded on the quarter to make it a two point game (38-36).
• DeSales led almost the entire fourth quarter befor a 3 with 2:54 to go tied the game at 46.
• After each team had an empty possession, DeSales called timeout and junior Abigail Rafferty hit a jumper from the foul line to give DSU a 48-46 lead with 1:46 to go.
• Leyla Castro got her own rebound after a miss and was fouled on the follow-up layup, hitting 1-of-2 to make it 48-47 with 1:22 left.
• DSU was off the mark on a lay-up on the other end and out of a timeout graduate student Jess Broad hit a 15-footer from the left baseline to give Stevens a 49-48 lead with 45 seconds remaining.
• The Bulldogs had two chances to take the lead but both shots were off the mark and DeSales fouled Broad with 11 seconds left.
• She missed both free throws and DSU advanced the ball to halfcourt after the rebound.
• After Stevens gave its last foul to give, junior Lindsey Welsh got off a contested look with three seconds left but it was short as Stevens secured the rebound as time expired on the game.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Rafferty had a double-double with 14 points and a season-high 18 rebounds adding four blocks in the loss.
• Saunders played well of the bench tossing in 12 points.
• Senior Megan Bealer and Welsh each had nine, with Bealer adding nine rebounds.

For the Foes

• Broad led the Ducks with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
• Castro added 14 points.
• Amber Porrett had a game-high 19 rebounds.

Inside the Box Score

• The Bulldogs shot just 27.7 percent from the field.
• DSU was also hurt by turnovers committing 19 miscues which led to 18 points off turnovers for the Ducks.
• Stevens shot 30.3 percent for the game.

Up Next

• DeSales is back in action on Saturday when they host FDU-Florham in MAC Freedom action beginning at 1:00 pm.