The Misericordia University women's basketball team fell at #16 DeSales, 56-29, Saturday.

The Cougars trailed just 20-17 at halftime, but managed just 12 points in the second half.

Morgan Haefele led MU with eight points and Meaghan McCaffrey had a game-high 11 rebounds.

Alyssa Bondi made a free throw on a technical foul to open the game and Elizabeth Fasti made a jumper to give MU a 3-0 lead.

DeSales scored 14 straight points to take a 14-3 lead with 4:02 left in the first period.

Jocelyn Grosch made two free throws with 1:40 left to break an eight-minute scoreless streak and McCaffrey and Haefele both made short jumpers in the lane in the final minute to get the Cougars with 14-9 after one period.

Fasti nailed a three-pointer to open the second quarter and Melina Santacroce made a jumper in the lane to cap an 11-0 run and tie score, 14-14, with 7:19 remaining in the second quarter.

DeSales scored six straight points before Haefele hit a three-pointer to close the half with MU down, 20-17.

Haefele hit another three-pointer to open the second half to pull even, but DeSales answered with six straight points to take a 26-20 lead with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

McCaffrey made a short jumper, but the Bulldogs closed the period on a 10-2 run to take a 36-24 lead after three periods.

Misericordia will return to action again Maine Presque Isle in Puerto Rico, December 20.