The Bulldogs (5-2 overall) jumped out early opening up an 8-0 lead before the Cavaliers took control, going on a 30-11 run to take its largest lead of the game, 30-19, at the 3:25 mark of the opening half. DSU closed the half with a 9-2 spurt including two buckets from Lapinski to trail by just four points heading into the locker room.
The second half was a hard fought back and forth affair with no team leading by more than six points until DeSales went on an 8-0 run after trailing, 60-59, at the 3:48 mark. Senior Steve Kriczky started the run with two free throws, junior Eddie Ohlson made a steal and converted a three-point play on the ensuing fast break and Lapinski scored the next three points to give the Bulldogs a commanding 67-60 lead with 42 ticks left.
Freshman Matt Walsh hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left but senior Sedale Walton calmly knocked down two free throws with six seconds left to ice the game and give DeSales its third straight win.
Once again Lapinski was one of four players in double digits to lead a balanced attack. His 15 points came on 6-of-12 shooting and he added a team-high eight rebounds off the bench. Junior Phil Stricker totaled 16 points and six rebounds, Kriczky added 14 points and freshman Darnell Braswell totaled double digits for the second straight game with 10 points.
Cabrini was led by Randy Reid who tallied a game-high 24 points, 20 of which came in the first half. Greg Clifton added 19 points to round out the double figure scorers for the Cavaliers.
DESALES UNIVERSITY 69, CABRINI COLLEGE 63 DESALES UNIVERSITY (5-2 overall) Phil Stricker 7-14 2-4 16; Ed Lapinski 6-12 1-2 15; Steve Kriczky 5-11 2-3 14; Darnell Braswell 4-10 0-0 10; Jeff Raimo 2-4 2-4 7; Sedale Walton 1-3 2-2 4; Eddie Ohlson 1-3 1-1 3; Matt Zwetolitz 0-3 0-0 0; Jamie McCloskey 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 26-61 10-16 69. CABRINI COLLEGE (1-6 overall) Randy Reid 9-11 6-8 24; Greg Clifton 6-15 3-3 19; Ryan Oxley 2-6 0-0 6; Matt Walsh 2-4 0-0 6; Matt Betz 2-4 0-0 4; Chris Blake 0-2 2-2 2; Charles Bush 1-5 0-0 2; Sean Kennedy 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-49 11-13 63. DeSales University............ 28 41 - 69 Cabrini College............... 32 31 - 63 3-point goals-DeSales 7-25 (Ed Lapinski 2-7; Steve Kriczky 2-7; Darnell Braswell 2-5; Jeff Raimo 1-3; Matt Zwetolitz 0-1; Eddie Ohlson 0-2), Cabrini 8-25 (Greg Clifton 4-10; Ryan Oxley 2-5; Matt Walsh 2-4; Charles Bush 0-2; Sean Kennedy 0-1; Chris Blake 0-2; Matt Betz 0-1). Rebounds-DeSales 35 (Ed Lapinski 8), Cabrini 26 (Randy Reid 7). Assists-DeSales 19 (Eddie Ohlson 6), Cabrini 15 (Sean Kennedy 4).