Delaware, OH (March 6, 2026) - Senior Lindsay Bednarek scored a game-high 27 points but the DeSales University women's basketball team fell short dropping a 68-53 decision at Ohio Wesleyan University in the opening round of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament on Friday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: Ohio Wesleyan - 68, DeSales - 53
• Records: DeSales (19-9 Overall); Ohio Wesleyan (21-5 Overall)
• This was the first career meeting between the two teams and was the 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the Bulldogs.

How it Happened

• The Bulldogs fell behind early as OWU opened the game with a 12-2 lead that was stopped by a three from sophomore Kayla Ishigami.
• Bednarek scored back-to-back baskets to make it a three-point game before Ohio Wesleyan led by seven in high scoring first quarter (25-18).
• It was still a seven-point game at the 5:54 mark of the second quarter when OWU went on a 10-0 run to take a 41-24 lead and led by 18 at the halftime break.
• Ohio Wesleyan started the scoring in the second-half to take a 20-point lead but the Bulldogs showed no quit using a 13-0 run to pull within seven (46-39) at the 4:47 mark of the third quarter.
• Bednarek (8) and Ishigami (5) accounted for all 13 points during the run.
• The rest of the quarter went back-and-forth as DSU was within eight (53-45) after three quarters of play.
• Ohio Wesleyan scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to take a 15-point lead and the Bulldogs were unable to get within 11 points the rest of the way.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Bednarek led all scorers with 27 points, shooting 12-for-26 from the field, adding four steals.
• Ishigami added 17 points, hitting three 3's.

For the Foes

• Macy Miller led OWU with a double-double, 18 points and 17 rebounds, adding five blocks.
• Maddie Ebbert had 19 points and Kendall Dieringer finished with 10 points.

Inside the Box Score

• Both teams shot 37.7 percent from the field.
• Ohio Wesleyan dominated the glass out-rebounding the Bulldogs, 47-32.