Center Valley, PA (March 4, 2023) - The 8th ranked DeSales University women's basketball team saw its NCAA Tournament run come to an end with a 75-69 loss to the University of Mary Washington in the Second Round on Saturday evening in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: Mary Washington - 75, #8 DeSales - 69
• Records: #8 DeSales (27-2 Overall); Mary Washington (24-6)
• The loss ends DSU's season with a school-record tying 27-2 record equaling the best record in team history also accomplished during the 1989-90 season.
• The Bulldogs see its school-record 42-game home winning streak come to an end as well as DeSales moves to 9-16 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

How it Happened

• The first quarter saw three ties and 11 lead changes and Mary Washington take a 20-17 lead after three free throws with one second left after a foul on a three-point shot after the Bulldogs were forced to go to its bench much earlier than most games due to injury and foul trouble.
• A triple from junior Amelia Saunders tied the game at 20 to open the second quarter before UMW scored 10 straight points to take a 30-20 lead.
• The lead swelled to 13 points at the 3:24 mark before the Bulldogs finished the half on a 11-2 run to pull within four points (37-33) at the break.
• DeSales scored the first six points of the third quarter to take a 39-37 lead as the game went back-and-forth over the next several minutes.
• Leading by one with 1:49 left, DSU was once again forced to go its bench because of foul trouble and the Eagles finished the quarter with six straight points to take a 58-53 lead.
• UMW scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to take a 63-53 lead two minutes into the final quarter.
• The Bulldogs answered with five straight points to get within five and it remained a five-point game with 1:31 left after consecutive steals and lay-ups from senior Megan Bealer.
• DeSales forced a shot clock violation on the next possession but came up empty on the offensive end.
• UMW hit one free throw and senior Maria Newsome converted two with 23 seconds left to make it a four-point game but the Eagles hit four straight free throws over the next two possessions and time ran out on any last minute comebacks.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Junior Abigail Rafferty recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
• Bealer finished with 12 points and added four steals.
• Junior Mikaela Reese had 12 points and blocked three shots and Saunders finished with 11 points.

For the Foes

• Jordan Carpenter registered a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
• Elizabeth Dufrane was outstanding off the bench totaling 19 points and five assists.
• Keagan Schwab had 12 points, hitting 3 3's.

Inside the Box Score

• The UMW bench out-scored DSU's, 30-8.
• Mary Washington had a slim 33-32 advantage on the glass
• The Eagles shot 50 percent from the floor