HUNTINGDON (PA) – Delaware Valley University's bid to knock Juniata College from the unbeaten ranks fell short in a 68-52 decision in the championship game of the Juniata Holiday Classic.

The Eagles upped their record to 11-0 while the Aggies fell to 3-8. DelVal will now prepare for its first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom game which will be at King's College on Wednesday, January 3.

The Aggies got off to a great start on Saturday as they hit seven of 12 shots from the field in the opening quarter and took a 15-11 lead. Ashley Smink had five points in the quarter while Olivia Gorman added four.

DelVal still led by three, 21-18, midway through the second quarter when Juniata went on an 8-2 spurt to take a three-point lead at the break. The Eagles then upped their lead to as many as 12 in the third quarter thanks to 63.6 percent shooting from the field over those 10 minutes. The Aggies got to within nine on two occasions in the fourth before Juniata pulled away to the win.

DelVal shot 48 percent from the field in the game, but went to the foul line just one time, compared to 13 attempts (12 makes) by Juniata. The Eagles also connected on eight shots from 3-point land (three by the Aggies).

Smink and Monika Smallwood represented DelVal on the all-tournament team. Smink, who had 21 points in Friday's win over Gwynedd Mercy, had 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals against Juniata. Smallwood followed her double-double with 10 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Danielle Skedzielewski added nine points while Gorman and fellow rookie Lauren Moretti had six points apiece.

Dani Atkinson paced the Eagles with 23 points while Morgan Instone and Bethany Spencer netted 16 and 11 points respectively.