News Release

Center Valley, PA — DeSales University used a 16-0 run in the second half to take control on their way to a 70-41 Freedom Conference women’s basketball win over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon.
The win improves the Bulldogs to 15-4 overall and 7-1 in the conference. Wilkes sees their overall record fall to 6-13 and their conference mark slip to 2-6.

DeSales would take a 10-7 lead on a basket by Caitlin Miller with 9:13 remaining in the first half. But, Wilkes would respond to take their first lead of the game by scoring five consecutive points. Kelly Patchell pulled the Lady Colonels within 10-9 on a rebound and basket. Lacey Andresen followed with a three-point field goal that put Wilkes on top, 12-10, at the 8:19 mark.

After Randi Corbo scored on a drive to give the Lady Colonels a 16-15 advantage with 7:07 left in the period, DeSales embarked on a 16-2 spurt to take the lead for good. Erica Sovak began the run with a drive and LeighAnn Burke knocked down a three-pointer to provide the Bulldogs with a 20-16 lead. Kirby Lutz extended the lead to 22-16 with a steal and basket, but Wilkes’ Chelsey Gosse hit two free throws with 5:00 left before intermission to close the gap to 22-18.

A basket inside by Burke and a three-point play by Lutz gave DeSales a 27-18 lead. After Kaila Wiand scored on a drive for the Bulldogs, Lutz cashed in a field goal inside to make it 31-18 with 1:20 left in the stanza.

Wilkes would score the final four points of the half. Patchell converted inside and Ashley Makarczyk hit a driving shot for the Lady Colonels to pull their team within 31-22 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Lady Colonels would make it 31-24 when Andresen scored on an offensive rebound for the first points of the second stanza. DeSales would respond with field goals by Lutz and Burke to take a 35-24 lead. However, Corbo scored on a steal and lay-up to move the lead back to single digits, 35-26, with 16:52 left in the contest.

DeSales followed with their decisive 16-point run that gave them a double-figure lead for good. Kim Rarick hit a 15-foot jumper to begin the spurt and make it a 37-26 game. After Jenna Stampf hit a lay-up, Rarick knocked down consecutive three-point field goal attempts to up the Bulldogs lead to 45-26. Burke, Stampf and Lutz would add field goals as DeSales built their lead to 51-26 with 12:39 to play in the game. Wilkes would get no closer than 19 points the rest of the way.

Lutz finished with 17 points and seven rebounds to lead three DeSales players in double-figures. Burke added 15 points, five assists and six steals. Rarick contributed 10 tallies.

Wilkes was led by Corbo’s 15 points and four assists. Patchell added seven points and a game-high nine rebounds.