Grantham, PA (November 19, 2021) - Four players scored in double digits led by sophomore Amelia Saunders with a game-high 20 points leading the DeSales University women's basketball team to a 100-63 win over Gwynedd-Mercy University on day one of the Messiah University Tournament on Friday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: #9 DeSales - 100, Gwynedd-Mercy - 63
• Records: DeSales (1-2 Overall); Gwynedd-Mercy (2-3 Overall)
• The win advances DeSales to the tournament championship game where the Bulldogs will face the winner of the other opening night game between host Messiah and Saint Vincent College.  Tip is set for 3:00 pm.
• DSU is 32-2 all-time vs. the Griffins having won nine straight in the series.

How it Happened

• This game was all DeSales from the very beginning using a 20-2 run after the Griffins scored the first two points of the game to take a 20-4 lead, seven minutes into the first quarter.
• The lead was 17 points after the first quarter, peaked at 28 points in the second quarter, and saw DSU leading 49-22 at the half.
• The second-half was more of the same as the Bulldogs out-scored the Griffins by eight in the third quarter before posting the final 37-point tally.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Saunders was one rebound shy of her first career double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds.
• Senior Averi Jordan notcher her first double-double of the year with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
• Senior Rylie Rittenhouse had her second double-double of the year with 18 points and 11 caroms.
• Sophomore Lindsey Welsh led the bench attack with 18 points and a team-high six assists.

For the Foes

• Lynzie Eggers had 15 points to lead Gywnedd.
• Gabby Marinacci added 11 points off the pine.

Inside the Box Score

• The Bulldogs shattered the team record for rebounds in a game with 69, out-rebounding GMU, 69-37.
• DSU had 25 assists and shot 42.6 percent from the field.
• DeSales held Gwynedd to just 31.9 percent shooting and GMU was just 7-for-20 from the charity stripe.