WASHINGTON, D.C. – Freshman Amely Del Rosario was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2013 Gallaudet University Women's Basketball Holiday Tournament, as the Lehman College Lightning defeated Trinity (D.C.) University on Saturday afternoon, 82-75, in the championship game

Del Rosario (Bronx, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) poured in 24 points while dishing five assists in the title game, after scoring 18 points in the opening round win over host Gallaudet, 85-80.

Sophomore Amani Lightbourne (Elmsford, N.Y./Alexander Hamilton) had 17 of her 21 points in the first half of the title game, as Lehman built a 17-point lead in the opening 20 minutes. Lightbourne joined Del Rosario on the All-Tournament team.

The Lightning trailed only once in the game – for a total of 38 seconds – early on. Midway through the half, Lehman held a tenuous one-point lead, at 15-14. But a 13-0 run, started by a three-pointer from sophomore Jennifer Navarro (Jamaica, N.Y./Grover Cleveland), provided a cushion for the Lightning. The Blue and Gold used defense to control the game's pace, forcing 17 first-half Trinity turnovers, resulting in 22 points.

Lehman would go on to score 46 points in the first half, shooting over 46%, taking a 14 point lead into the break.

In the second half, Del Rosario took over, netting 15 points while shooting 50% from the floor. Trinity would never threaten again, as the Lightning claimed the tournament's title.

In addition to Del Rosario and Lightbourne, Navarro finished with 17 points, while junior forward Shalaya Nieves (Camden, Del./Caesar Rodney) had 10 points. Sophomore guard Luisayra Madrigal (Bronx, N.Y./Msgr. Scanlan) led Lehman with nine rebounds.

The Lightning return to New York victorious, and will face John Jay College on Tuesday night, at 5:00 p.m., in Manhattan.