News Release

Center Valley, PA — Sophomore Kim Rarick broke a tie at 68 with a long three-pointer from the right corner with 20 seconds left to give DSU a 71-68 lead and eventually the win as the DeSales University women’s basketball team recorded its eighth straight win, 73-68, over Drew University on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.

Consecutive lay-ups from Allison Hartnett of the Rangers sandwiched in between a three-point play by senior Kirby Lutz tied the game at 68 with 43 seconds left. Following a DSU timeout, Lutz drove the lane from the top of the key and was double teamed down on the low block. She kicked the ball out to Rarick who was wide open behind the three-point line and she buried the triple hitting nothing but net.

Senior Melissa Kraft had an open look on the other end to tie the game but the shot rimmed out and the ball bounced out of bounds belonging to the Bulldogs. After a timeout, DSU inbounded the ball to Rarick who was immediately fouled and calmly knocked down both free throws to clinch the win.

Lutz finished with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Rarick totaled 14 points and four assists and sophomore LeighAnn Burke tallied 14 points to round out the double figure scorers. Freshman Caitlin Miller had a strong game off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Drew was led by its senior duo Courtney Cunningham with 22 points and eight rebounds and Melissa Kraft with 13 points and seven rebounds. JaQuelia Conley tallied 12 points off the bench to round out the Ranger’s double figure scoring.

The game was back and forth almost the entire way with neither team holding more than a seven point lead all game. The Bulldogs led by seven twice, 47-40 and 49-42, in the second half before Drew closed the gap with a 6-0 run to make it 49-48. The score was tied 11 times and the lead changed hands 10 times for the game. Both teams were hot from the foul line as the Bulldogs shot 87.5 percent (28-of-32) and Drew hit 78.6 percent (11-of-14).

DeSales returns to action on Saturday, January 20th when they put its eight game winning streak on the line when the travel to 3rd ranked The University of Scranton for a Freedom Conference game beginning at 1:00 pm.

DESALES UNIVERSITY 73, DREW UNIVERSITY 68

DREW UNIVERSITY (7-8, 2-3 Conf.)
Courtney Cunningham 8-16 2-3 22; Melissa Kraft 6-18 0-0 13; JaQuelia Conley
5-11 2-2 12; Laura Methvin 3-7 2-2 8; Allison Hartnett 2-6 0-0 4; Maggie
Marquis 1-3 2-2 4; Jessica Delvecchio 1-1 2-2 4; Genie Valantassis 0-1 1-3
1. Totals 26-63 11-14 68.

DESALES UNIVERSITY (13-3, 5-0 Conf.)
Kirby Lutz 7-17 9-10 23; Kim Rarick 3-7 6-6 14; LeighAnn Burke 4-13 3-4 14;
Caitlin Miller 4-8 2-2 10; Jenna Stampf 1-3 5-6 7; Erica Sovak 0-2 3-4 3;
Kaila Wiand 1-4 0-0 2; Kelly Magrann 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-55 28-32 73.

Drew University...............   32   36  -   68
DeSales University............   35   38  -   73

3-point goals-Drew 5-16 (Courtney Cunningham 4-8; Melissa Kraft
1-7; Allison Hartnett 0-1), DeSales 5-16 (LeighAnn Burke 3-8; Kim
Rarick 2-4; Kaila Wiand 0-1; Kelly Magrann 0-1; Kirby Lutz 0-2).
Rebounds-Drew 36 (Courtney Cunningham 8), DeSales 39
(Caitlin Miller 8). Assists-Drew 6 (Genie Valantassis 2; Maggie
Marquis 2; Melissa Kraft 2), DeSales 12 (Kim Rarick 4).