Wilkes-Barre, PA (January 19, 2011) – Eleven different players reached the scoring column and the DeSales University women's basketball team forced 37 Wilkes University turnovers leading the Bulldogs to their fourth straight win, 78-44, in Freedom Conference action on Wednesday evening.
Sophomore Taylor Greene led the way with a career-high 11 points and was one steal shy of breaking the school-record for steals in a game with nine swipes. Greene also had four assists. Junior Cherelle Simmons and freshman Sondrine Glovas each added 10 points, combined for 15 total rebounds and Glovas added five steals.
Junior Hannah Smith and senior Lori Lidlow each had nine points with Lidlow leading the way with five assists and adding three blocks. Senior Megan Montchyk added six points, senior Shaina Dymond totaled eight points and had six blocks off the bench, and freshman Faith Gilbert continued her strong play off the bench with seven points.
Whitney Connolly led the scoring attack for Wilkes (3-12, 0-6 Freedom) with 18 points including a 12-for-12 effort from the free throw line, while Sam Lynam finished with 11 points but did so on just 4-for-20 shooting. Connolly added 11 rebounds and Megan Kazmerski rounded out the Lady Colonel attack with eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
DSU (10-6, 4-2 Freedom) extended a three-point first-half lead (17-14) with a 21-8 run over a span of 11:28 to take a 16-point lead (38-22) before settling for an 11-point halftime advantage after WU scored the final five points of the first half. Gilbert led the big first-half run with seven points including two three's and Smith added five of her nine points.
Leading by 13 points (44-31) early in the second half, the Bulldogs broke the game open with a 30-5 spurt over the next 12 minutes to take its largest lead of the game, 74-36, with 6:29 remaining and never looked back from there.
DeSales' defense continued its terrific play holding Wilkes to just 22.4 percent shooting and forcing 37 turnovers while swiping 25 steals. The 44 points allowed mark the third straight game the Bulldogs have held the opposition under 45 points. DSU also had more assists (19) than turnovers (17), the third straight game the Bulldogs have had more assists than turnovers.
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday when they make a return trip to Wilkes-Barre, PA, this time taking on King's College in another Freedom Conference game beginning at 1:00 pm.