FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Marci Lippert, Director of Athletic Communications- 610-606-4666 x. 3727

CEDAR CREST BASKETBALL DROPS SEASON OPENER TO DESALES UNIVERSITY

Center Valley, PA (November 17, 2009) – Junior Leann Wallower (Havertown, PA/Haverford) led the Cedar Crest College basketball team with 22 points, but it would not be enough as DeSales University handed the Falcons a 97-72 loss in both team’s season opener on Tuesday evening in Billera Hall.

DeSales, which has been ranked as high as No. 14 in one pre-season poll and is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com national pre-season poll, improves to 1-0 overall with the win, while Cedar Crest falls to 0-1 on the year.

DeSales’ Lori Ludlow led all scorers with 26 points, while teammate Caitlin Miller added 13 points.  Kelly Mcgrann added 12 points for the Bulldogs.

Senior Kelly Oakes, (Wilmington, DE/Delcastle) who posted 13 double-doubles last season, started the season off right where she left off with 16 points and 12 boards for the Falcons.  Senior Lakeema Jones (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) added 13 points for Cedar Crest.

Cedar Crest ran out to an early 13-7 lead at the 15:28 mark on a layup by sophomore Allison Horn (New Triploi, PA/Northwestern).  The Falcons held the lead until the 10:25 mark when Kelly Magrann put the Bulldogs ahead, 24- 22, on a fastbreak layup.  Cedar Crest regained the lead when sophomore Lizzy Sunderhaus (Hamilton, OH/Stephen T. Badin) drained a three-pointer with 9:49 remaining in the first half.

DeSales then went on a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 38-27 lead.  Cedar Crest would chip away over the remaining five minutes in the half, but it would not be enough as DeSales hit five-three pointers to help go into halftime with a 55-37 lead.

DeSales would take over in the second half, forcing 18 Cedar Crest turnovers.  The Falcons would pull within 22 with 2:02 remaining in the contest on a made layup by Jones and two made free throws by Oakes.    

Cedar Crest will host the Falcon Classic Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st in Lees Gymnasium.  The Falcons will take on Lancaster Bible College on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., while Eastern University will play Arcadia University in the opening game at 5:00 p.m.  The winner of each game will play in the Championship game on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., while the consolation game will be at 1:00 p.m.

BOXSCORE

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