Center Valley, PA (February 25, 2023) - Junior Abigail Rafferty recorded a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds and the #8/9th ranked DeSales University women's basketball turned in a dominating defensive performance leading to a 59-36 win over Stevens capturing the Bulldogs fifth straight MAC Freedom Championship on Saturday afternoon in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: #8/9 DeSales - 59, Stevens - 36
• Records: #8/9 DeSales (26-1 Overall); Stevens (22-5 Overall)
• DeSales wins its fifth straight MAC Freedom Championship and 11th in team history.
• The Bulldogs improve to 10-3 all-time vs. the Ducks.
• It is just the fourth time in team history DeSales has won 26+ games in a season.
• DSU earns the MAC Freedom automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with the field set to be announced on Monday afternoon.
• This win also extends DeSales' school-record home win streak to 41 straight games.

How it Happened

• After Stevens scored the first basket of the game, DSU finished the first quarter on a 14-3 run to take a nine-point advantage after one quarter of play.
• Junior Amelia Saunders gave DSU a big lift off the bench hitting two 3's in the quarter.
• The lead swelled to 18 points (24-6) early in the second quarter and was 16 at the halftime break after a three from the corner by first-year Mikaili Donmoyer.
• It was more defense in the second-half as the Bulldogs held the Ducks to just eight third quarter points to extend its lead to 21 entering the fourth quarter and DSU cruised in with the win and its fifth straight conference crown.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Rafferty earned MVP honors finishing with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting, while pulling 14 rebounds and blocking three shots.
• She averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in the two playoff games.
• Senior Megan Bealer was outstanding with 13 points, seven boards, four assists, and four steals.
• Junior Mikaela Reese finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, adding three blocks.
• Saunders came off the bench to play 34+ minutes totaling 11 points, six rebounds, and six steals.

For the Foes

• Graduate student Jess Broad was the lone player in double digits for the Ducks totaling 17 points.

Inside the Box Score

• The Bulldogs held Stevens to just 26.9 percent shooting, while hitting 32.3 percent from the field.
• DSU forced 24 Ducks turnovers and out-rebounded Stevens, 45-41.

Up Next

• The NCAA Division III tournament field will be announced on Monday afternoon and you can find out all the details on the DeSales athletics web site Monday evening.