RADNOR, Pa. – Cabrini gave nationally-ranked DeSales University all it could handle in the first half, as the Cavs (2-9) led by three at intermission before the 11th-ranked Bulldogs (10-0) held Cabrini to just five points in the third quarter in a 68-50 win Tuesday afternoon.
Cabrini led 37-34 at halftime and scored 50 points on DeSales, which was the second most by an opponent this season against the Bulldogs.
For Cabrini, Miranda Liebtag had 15 points, with Giana Rullo scoring ten off the bench.
DeSales got a game-high 27 points from Abigail Rafferty, who also had a game-high 14 rebounds. Megan Bealer scored 19 for the DeSales, with Lindsey Welsh adding in ten.
DeSales took a six-point lead midway through the first quarter as Bealer made a basket with three minutes left to give the Bulldogs a 13-7 lead. Cabrini would rally to within three at 17-14 as Liebtag scored on a basket with 57 seconds left.
In the second quarter, Cabrini took a lead at 22-21 on a jumper by Liebtag with 5:53 left. After DeSales and Cabrini traded leads, the Cavs went up 37-34 at intermission when Liebtag made a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The third quarter proved to be the difference as Cabrini went scoreless for the first 6:10, allowing the Bulldogs to go up by as much as 11 at 49-38 on a layup by Bealer.
In the fourth quarter, DeSales pulled away as Cabrini would only get within eight.
Reese ended with eight blocks for DeSales, part of 12 on the afternoon. Cabrini did hold a 40-39 edge on the glass, with Liebtag getting eight.
Cabrini takes on Brooklyn on Friday, December 30, at 2 p.m.
