Center Valley, PA (December 28, 2024) – Senior Devin Atkinson scored and was fouled with 2.6 seconds left lifitng the DeSales University men’s basketball team past the University of Mary Washington, 63-62, in the first game of the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
- Final Score: DeSales – 63, Mary Washington – 62
- Records: DeSales (6-3 Overall); Mary Washington (5-5 Overall)
- This was the second career meeting between the two teams with DeSales evening the all-time series with today’s win.
How it Happened
- Tied at seven early, UMW scored seven straight points to take a 17-10 lead eight minutes into the game.
- The Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 run led by seven points from junior Brendan Boyle to claim a 21-19 lead and pushed its advantage up to six points scoring the final nine points of the half to lead 35-29 at the half.
- DeSales dominated the start of the second-half with a 10-2 run out of the locker room to lead 45-31 at the 16:51 mark.
- DSU led 51-38 at the 12:41 mark when the offense went cold.
- The Eagles scored 15 straight points to take a 53-51 lead, holding DeSales scoreless for 8:03 before senior Matt Ciszkowski broke the string with a three-pointer with 4:38 remaining.
- The game went back-and-forth over the next four minutes with neither team leading by more than two points.
- DeSales held a 61-59 lead after two free throws from first-year Jayden Thomas with 2:45 to go, but UMW hit a three on the next possession to take a 62-61 lead with 1:59 left.
- After multiple timeouts and empty possessions, DSU had possession with 19.6 seconds left down by one.
- Atkinson had a contested layup to take the lead that rimmed off, but the rebound bounced to Boyle who found Atkinson on the block and his second attempt fell in as he was fouled with 2.6 seconds left.
- UMW used its last timeout before the free throw and out of the timeout, Atkinson missed his free throw on purpose and a last second half court heave was well short giving the Bulldogs the win.
Top Bulldog Performers
- Atkinson led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, adding six rebounds, and six assists.
- Ciszkowski had 16 points, hitting three 3’s.
- Thomas finished with 12 points and six rebounds.
For the Foes
- Kaden Bates finished with 17 points, off the bench for the Eagles.
- Kye Robinson also reached double figures with 15 points.
Inside the Box Score
- DeSales shot 46.7 percent from the field and was 12-for-14 (85.7%), including one miss on purpose from the free throw line.
- UMW was just 5-for-11 (45.5%) from the charity stripe.
- The Bulldogs dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Eagles, 36-21.
- Mary Washington forced 21 Bulldog turnovers, leading to 16 points.
Up Next
- DeSales returns to action on Monday afternoon hosting Gettysburg College in the third game of the tournament beginning at 3:00 pm.
