DOYLESTOWN (Pa.) – The Delaware Valley University women's basketball was within six points of the lead late in the game against nationally ranked Misericordia University, but the Cougars pulled away late to earn the 78-63 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom road victory.
The Aggies fell to 8-12 overall and 2-7 in league play while 25
th ranked Misericordia improved to 18-2 overall and 7-2 in conference games.
DelVal jumped out to an early 11-3 lead in the first quarter, led by senior
Danielle Skedzielewski. Skedzielewski picked up seven points before the game was three minutes old and
Lauren Moretti pitched in with four.
The Cougars came back to tie the game at 16-16, and eventually took a 22-21 lead into the second quarter.
The Aggies managed just six points in the second quarter on 2-of-12 shooting from the field, and Misericordia extended its lead to 42-27 at the half. Rachel Carmody led the Cougars with 15 total points at the break and Skedzielewski had 12 on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including a pair of treys.
DelVal managed to fight back and stay within striking distance during the third quarter, and used a 10-5 run to pull within five points of the lead. A
Sarah Wills jump shot from behind the arc with one minute remaining int the stanza made it a 55-50 contest.
Misericordia scored the next four points to take a 59-50 lead into the fourth.
It grew its lead to 11 points early in teh final stanza, but the Aggies got a trey from Moretti and a driving layup by Smink to pull within six, 65-59, with under six minutes left in regulation.
From there, the Cougars outscored DelVal, 13-4, the rest of the way to close out the 78-63 MAC Freedom victory.
Skedzielewski lead DelVal with 16 points and seven rebounds to go with two steals. Moretti was stellar defensively as she picked up seven steals in the game to go with 11 points and
Dom Moser and pitched in with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Cougars placed three players in double-figures including Rachel Carmody who led the way with 15 points. Japriya Carrol recorded 12 points and Leanne Forsyth finished with 10 points and five assists.
The Aggies will play host to Eastern University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip.