DALLAS (PA) – Senior Eireann Anastasi became just the fourth player in program history to post 40 or more points in a game as she led the Delaware Valley University women's basketball team to a 95-81 victory at Misericordia University in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom game on Wednesday.
The Aggies have now won five of their last six and sit at 8-10 overall. Halfway through the conference schedule, DelVal has a 4-3 record and resides in a three-way tie for third place. The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament. The Cougars dropped to 6-12 with a 2-5 MAC Freedom mark.
After a layup by Justine Seely, Misericordia held a 6-4 lead with 7:37 to go in the opening quarter. The Aggies then went on a 12-3 run over 2:32 of game time to go ahead 16-9. Anastasi had seven of the points, senior Kelsey Kilpatrick drained a three and freshman Brianna Rivello made a layup. The Cougars tallied five straight points to get it within two but Delaware Valley went on another surge, this time scoring 13 of 19, for a 29-20 advantage with 9:14 left in the second. Freshman Danielle Skedzielewski produced six points, Anastasi had five and junior Sam Foy converted a layup.
Misericordia worked its way back within three (38-35) with 2:47 to go in the half. DelVal scored eight straight for its biggest lead of the half at 11 (46-35). Kilpatrick hit back-to-back three-pointers in the stretch. The Cougars had the final six points and trailed 46-41 at the intermission. Anastasi and Seely both poured in 20 points in the half.
The Cougars cut the deficit to one (52-51) with 7:24 on the third quarter clock. DelVal then orchestrated a 16-4 run for a 13-point cushion (68-55) with 3:08 left. Anastasi had six points, Foy recorded four and Skedzielewski and Kilpatrick each drilled a triple. The closest that Misericordia got the rest of the way was nine (72-63) with 9:33 to play in the fourth then the Aggies put the game away with a 14-6 stretch. Foy led the spurt with five points. Anastasi had another 20 points in the half while Seely scored 14.
DelVal shot an impressive 54 percent (37-68) from the field, including 59 percent (13-22) from three-point range. The Aggies were 8-of-11 from the foul line. It was their highest offensive output since a 95-69 win at home versus Centenary College on January 4, 2010.
With her 40-point performance, Anastasi joined Kim Vennera (43 vs. DeSales, 2009), Brittany Battinieri (42 vs. DeSales, 2010) and Jeanne Waznak (40 vs. Drew, 1998) as the only players in program history to score 40 or more points in a contest. Vennera is a current assistant coach for the Aggies.
Anastasi also tallied seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Foy finished with 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Kilpatrick had 15 points, four steals and three assists. Skedzielewski was also in double figures with 14 points. She added five rebounds and four assists. Rivello grabbed eight rebounds.
Misericordia shot 41 percent (28-68) from the field and 94 percent (17-18) from the line. The Cougars held a 40-33 margin on the glass. Seely ended the game with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. Liz Waleski scored 14 points while Rachel Carmody registered 12 points and seven boards. Alexa Plitt contributed 11 points.
Delaware Valley returns home to face MAC Freedom opponent Eastern University on Saturday, January 30 (1:00 p.m.).