CENTER VALLEY (PA)--- The Delaware Valley women's basketball traveled to first place DeSales for a Middle Atlantic Freedom (MAC) Freedom contest, but came up on the losing end, 98-56.
The Aggies (4-9, 0-9) fell behind 8-2 in just under a minute and a half, but forced a pair of turnovers over the next two minutes to spark a 5-0 run. Jenna Schiessl knocked down a three pointer after a Haley Keenan steal, then Jess Williamson connected on a fast break layup. DeSales (11-3, 8-0) answered with a 9-2 burst to extend their lead to nine. With the Bulldogs holding a ten point lead, Keenan connected from beyond the arc at the buzzer as the Aggies trailed 25-18 after the first quarter.
DeSales hit four free throws early in the second quarter to extend their lead to 11, but a Schiessl three and a Lauren Moretti layup off a Williamson steal brought the Aggies to within six at 29-23. The teams went back and forth as the Bulldogs' lead didn't grow larger than ten or lower than seven for a majority of the second stanza. With the lead sitting at eight with 1:16 left in the half, DeSales went on a 7-2 run to take a 48-36 lead into the break.
After two DeSales free throws to start the third, Kaela Stankiewicz connected on a layup to bring the deficit back to 12. From there, the Bulldogs took control of the game, ripping off an 8-0 burst to lead 58-38 with 6:48 left in the third quarter. The hosts would continue to excel in the third, as they ended the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 76-49 lead into the fourth quarter. DeSales shot 67% (10-of-15) in the third and outscored the Aggies 28-13. They would go on to win the fourth quarter 22-7 to win 98-56.
Averi Jordan led all scorers with 25 points and added 19 rebounds with seven assists. Mikaela Reese scored 21 for DeSales with 10 boards and three other Bulldogs finished in double figures.
Haley Keenan led the Aggies with 14 points while pulling in five rebounds.
Lauren Moretti scored 13 for DelVal with five boards and five assists.
First-year Jess Williamson, starting her second game of the season, finished with a career-high 12 points while adding four assists.
The Aggies return to MAC Freedom action Wednesday, January 26th for a home game against FDU-Florham. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
