WILKES-BARRE (PA) – Delaware Valley University outscored host King's College, 33-20, in the second half as the Aggies pulled away to a 56-43, Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom triumph.
The win improved DelVal to 9-11 overall and, more importantly, 5-4 in MAC Freedom action. The victory, combined with Eastern University's setback at Misericordia University, has the Aggies in sole possession of the fourth and final conference tournament berth with five games remaining. They are one game ahead of Eastern as they look for a fourth consecutive playoff spot.
DelVal got 10 of its 12, first-quarter points off of turnovers by the Lady Monarchs (4-15, 2-7) as it forced seven miscues. The last points came on a jumper by Ashley Smink with five seconds left as the teams were tied after the opening 10 minutes.
King's took a 23-18 advantage late in the second quarter before two baskets by Danielle Skedzielewski with an Amber Grohowski free throws sandwiched in-between tied the game at the break.
The rest of the game belonged to the Aggies, beginning with a 9-2 run to open the second half. Sam Foy had five of the points in the spurt while Skedzielewski and Sarah Wills had two apiece. The Lady Monach responded with six straight before DelVal countered with another 9-2 rally, including seven from Foy, for a 41-34 lead heading into the fourth.
Kasey Seltz hit a 3-pointer 10 seconds into the final quarter to pull King's to within four. However, DelVal responded with 12 consecutive points – four from Skedzielewski, three apiece from Foy and Smink and two from Smallwood – for its largest lead of the contest and the Lady Monarchs never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
The Aggies forced 24 turnovers on the night and turned them into 31 points. They also went 15-for-20 from the foul line compared to just six trips (five makes) by King's. Skedzielewski led the way with 17 points while adding seven rebounds and four steals. Foy finished with 15 points and eight boards while Smink had nine points, six steals and three assists. Smallwood added five points, a team-high nine rebounds and three steals in the win.
Erin Schmidt came off the bench to pace King's with 12 points. Olivia Hoffman grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with six points.
DelVal will host Misericordia University on Saturday, February 4 (2 p.m.).