The Misericordia University women's basketball team fell to first-place DeSales, 72-56, Saturday afternoon on Doc Mould Court.

Alyssa Bondi, Elizabeth Fasti and Melina Santacroce all scored nine points for MU while Skylar Bianchi and Gianna Delfino had 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

Morgan Haefele opened the scoring with a three-pointer and Fasti added a three-pointer to give MU a 6-2 lead with 6:44 to go in the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes with Delfino scoring back-to-back layups and Bianchi adding a layup to pull the Cougars even, 12-12, with 3:04 to go in the opening quarter.

Down 15-12, the Cougars scored eight straight points to take a 20-14 lead.

Delfino hit a three-pointer from the top of the key and Bondi followed with a three-pointer to give MU an 18-15 lead.

Bianchi finished a fast break with an assist from Delfino to make it 20-15, but DeSales closed the half on a three-point play to cut MU's advantage to 20-18.

DeSales out scored the Cougars, 23-5 in the second quarter to take the lead.

MU will visit Wilkes, Wednesday.