DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Darnell Braswell hit a layup with 26 seconds remaining to lift defending Freedom Conference champion DeSales University to a 75-73 victory over host Delaware Valley College.

The Bulldogs, who advanced all the way to the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA Division III playoffs, improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the Freedom on the current campaign. The loss dropped the Aggies to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Delaware Valley had just taken a 73-72 lead as James Jones sank a pair of free throws with 35 seconds to go. DeSales called time to set up a play for Braswell. The All-American took the inbounds pass at the top of the key, drove into the paint and laid it in to give the Bulldogs a one-point advantage. 

Delaware Valley crossed the halfcourt line and called a timeout to set a play of its own. The ball went to Jones and his pull-up jumper over the outstretched arms of Braswell hit short on the rim. Nicholas Rossignoli grabbed the defensive board and handed it off to Matt Zwetolitz who was fouled with 1.3 seconds remaining. Zwetolitz hit his first throw and purposely missed the second. A long toss downcourt by the Aggies fell way short and DeSales had the road victory.

The back-and-forth affair featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes, including six ties and nine lead changes in the second half alone. DeSales jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead and led by as many as 11 in the first half, but the Aggies rallied and took a 32-29 lead into the intermission. 

The Bulldogs regained the advantage early in the second half and used an 8-2 run to take a 51-43 lead with 11:01 remaining. DeSales were still up seven when Delaware Valley went on a 15-5 spurt, including six by Jeremy Beckett and five by Jones, to take its largest lead of the half, 64-61, with 4:25 left on the clock. It then came down the stretch run with Braswell scoring six of his team's final 14 points, including the game-winner. 

Braswell finished the afternoon with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jamey Berceier and Brian Hunter added 14 and 11 points respectively. 

Jon Evans came off the bench and paced the Aggies with 15 points while Jason Goldheimer added 14. Carroll Mitchell notched all 11 of his points in the first half while Jones finished with nine points and six assists.