Center Valley, PA (December 5, 2016) - Head coach Fred Richter earned his 500th career win as the DeSales University women's basketball team used a solid defensive effort in a 52-43 win over Gwynedd Mercy University in non-conference action on Monday evening in Billera Hall.

Richter becomes the 29th coach in NCAA Division III history to win 500+ career games.  He has guided the Bulldogs to 13 20+ win seasons in his 26 previous years, has guided the Bulldogs to the MAC Freedom postseason in 19 straight seasons, and won 6 MAC Freedom championships. 

Senior Morgan McCollian led DeSales (5-1) in Richter's 500th victory recording her third double-double of the year with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while sophomore Leandra Sterner finished with 13 points.  Sophomore Morgan Birmelin finished with five assists and five steals in the win.

GMU (2-4) got 19 points and 16 rebounds from Charlotte Kucowski and nine points and nine boards from Nicole Dombrowski in the loss. 

DSU dominated the first three quarters of play holding the Griffins to just 23 points thru the first three quarters and held a 44-23 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs still led by 16 with just 4:47 to go when turnovers started to doom DeSales as the Griffins scored eight straight points to pull within 48-40 with 2:29 to play.  GMU had possession of the ball looking to make it a two-possession game when McCollian stole an inbounds pass and Sterner raced down the court scoring uncontested after a nice lead pass from senior Nikki Callahan ending the comeback threat of Gwynedd. 

It was a dominant first-half that saw DSU hold GMU to just 23.1 percent shooting en route to a 33-14 halftime lead.  Both teams struggled to score in the third quarter with DSU's defense holding the Griffins to just nine points allowing the lead to increase by two points entering the fourth quarter.

DeSales dominated the glass out-rebounding Gwynedd, 48-37, including 21 offensive boards leading to 19 second-chance points.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday when they host Stevens Institute of Technology with tip set for 6:00 pm in Billera Hall.