Center Valley, PA (February 21, 2024) - The #18 DeSales University women's basketball team shot 61.3% in the second-half, outscoring Stevens by 19 points over the final 20 minutes, en route to an 89-67 win over the Ducks in the MAC Freedom semifinals in Billera Hall on Wednesday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: #18 DeSales - 89, Stevens - 67
• Records: #18 DeSales (24-2 overall); Stevens (14-12 overall)
• The Bulldogs advance to the MAC Freedom championship game for the ninth straight season and will face the #2 seed in the postseason tournament, Arcadia University.
• DeSales extends its winning streak to 17-straight and have won eight straight at home.
• DSU has now won five straight over Stevens and stays unbeaten (10-0) vs. the Ducks at home.

How it Happened

• Trailing 4-2 early, DSU scored 13 straight points, including two 3's from sophomore Mikaili Donmoyer to open up a 15-4 lead five minutes into the game.
• The lead grew to as many as 12 points in the first quarter before the Bulldogs settled for a 23-15 lead after one quarter of play.
• DeSales went cold in the second quarter, hitting just 28.6 percent from the field as the Ducks chipped away and got within three on a 3 from Leyla Castro just before the halftime buzzer (34-31).
• The Bulldogs raced out of the halftime gates scoring the first nine points in the first 1:38 to quickly take a 43-31 lead.
• The advantage grew to as many as 21 points in the third quarter as DSU just could not miss hitting 10-of-12 (83.3 %) from the field in the third quarter to lead by 16 (63-47).
• The hot shooting continued in the fourth quarter as DeSales scored 26 more fourth quarter points cruising to the semifinal win.

Top Bulldog Performers

• All five starters were in double digits led by senior Megan Bealer with 21 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in the win.
• Fellow senior Olivia Scotti had her sixth double-double of the year with 17 points and 13 rebounds, adding six assists.
• Donmoyer finished with a season-high 16 points, hitting 5 3's.
• Senior Amelia Saunders had 15 points and added four helpers.
• Senior Lindsey Welsh rounded out the double digit scorers with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

For the Foes

• Castro led all scorers with 22 points, but also had eight turnovers in the loss.
• Lucy Alberici finished with 11 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales made a season-high 14 3's in the win, shooting 45.2 percent from outside the arc.
• DSU shot an even 50.0 percent for the game and 84.6 percent from the charity stripe.
• The Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers and scored 29 points off those miscues.
• DeSales has 26 assists on 32 made baskets.

MAC Freedom Championship

• Game time is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday vs. Arcadia University, who defeated Lebanon Valley College in the other semifinal on Wednesday evening.