(Posted November 21, 2009)

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- A missed layup at the end of regulation and a pair of missed free-throws at the end of overtime allowed host DeSales University to edge an upset-minded Juniata College squad, 71-70 in overtime, Saturday evening in opening round action of the Starter's Pub Tip-Off Tournment.

Juniata (1-1) had a 62-59 lead as the clock passed under one minute remaining in regulation. DeSales' Lori Ludlow pulled the Bulldogs to within one with a layup with :50 remaining, and went to the line to shoot two shots on the double-bonus after being fouled by Juniata's Kelly Rotan (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) with five seconds on the clock.

Ludlow missed the first shot, but made the second to tie game at 62-62. Sophomore guard Ashton Bankos (York, Pa./York Catholic) could not convert a layup attempt as time expired, forcing overtime.

In the extra session, Juniata grabbed the lead on a jumper by newcomer Jordan Speck (Huntingdon, Pa./Southern Huntingdon). The two teams traded the lead four more times, and were tied twice, before the Eagles were left with a 70-69 advantage with :38 to play following a Bankos layup.

DeSales' Caitin Miller put in a layup at the other end of the floor to put the Bulldogs back on top 71-70, but missed the accompanying free throw after getting fouled by Alyssia Gordon (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) on the bucket.

That returned possession to Juniata with 32 seconds showing in overtime. Speck was fouled in the act of shooting, sending her to the line with six seconds remaining and a chance to put the Eagles into the lead. However she missed both shots, and DeSales' Miller rebounded the second missed shot and held on to preserve the win.

Sophomore guard Meagan Raville (McSherrystown, Pa./Delone Catholic) led the Eagles with 19 points, while junior Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) logged her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 boards.

DeSales University (2-0) - unranked coming into the game, but listed sixth among schools outside the D3hoops.com Top 25 but still receiving votes �??�?�¢?" was led by Lidlow with 26 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field.

Free throws proved to be the difference maker; DeSales was called for just 11 fouls, while Juniata was whistled for 24 fouls �??�?�¢?" sending the Bulldogs to the stripe 27 times, where they connected on 19 foul shots.

Juniata will face Lycoming College in the consolation game of the Starter's Pub Tip-Off Tournament at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at DeSales' Billera Hall.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.