The Misericordia University women's basketball team suffered a tough 80-57 loss at DeSales Saturday afternoon to drop to 8-7 (4-4 Freedom).

The Cougars stayed in the game through the first half. Lacey DeGraw led the squad with 11 points, keeping pace with a Bulldog team that consistently shot well from the free throw line and behind the arc.

Vanessa Wright put up eight points, including four from the line.

The Cougars headed to halftime down 35-32, but they were held scoreless for nearly four minutes in the second half. A 10-0 run put the Bulldogs up 45-32.

The Cougars were held to three free throws over the next four minutes and dropped down to 53-35. DeGraw went to work, sinking a series of layups to compliment a surge from Jesse Robinson, but the duo couldn't salvage this one.

DeGraw ended the night with a team-high 21 points. Robinson ended with 10, and Wright finished with 10.

Lindsey Sykes led the Cougars with seven rebounds—all defensive. Sykes, Wright, DeGraw and Christine Marks each had pairs of steals.

The Cougars head to Eastern Monday night and return home Wednesday to host SUNY-Cobleskill.