DeSales Women’s Basketball Faces Tough Loss Against Shenandoah

The DeSales University women’s basketball team ran into a tough challenge in their final non-conference game of the season, dropping a 58-42 decision to the 24th-ranked Shenandoah University Hornets.

DeSales started strong but couldn’t keep up the momentum. The Bulldogs now stand at 8-1 all-time against Shenandoah after this first loss in the series.

Shenandoah dominated the boards, while DeSales had trouble finding their shooting touch.

Game Overview: DeSales vs. Shenandoah

On January 3, 2026, the DeSales Bulldogs traveled down to Winchester, VA, to take on the Shenandoah Hornets.

Both teams had put together strong seasons so far, and there was some buzz around this matchup. DeSales came in at 6-5, while Shenandoah’s record looked intimidating at 10-1.

Shenandoah’s defense and rebounding just kept giving DeSales headaches all night.

First Quarter: A Promising Start

The Bulldogs opened with energy, as senior Lindsay Bednarek hit three early baskets to give DeSales a 6-4 lead. But things quickly turned, and DeSales struggled to score the rest of the quarter.

They managed just two more points and found themselves down 21-8 after one.

Second Quarter: A Glimmer of Hope

DeSales tried to claw back in the second, cutting the deficit to seven (26-19) midway through. Shenandoah answered with a burst before halftime, stretching their lead to 34-22.

The Bulldogs just couldn’t find a rhythm on offense.

Third Quarter: Fighting Back

Shenandoah pushed the lead to 16 early in the third. DeSales responded with an 8-0 run, sparked by a Kayla Ishigami three-pointer, to make it 40-32 with 4:45 left in the quarter.

But Shenandoah closed the quarter strong, and DeSales trailed by 14 heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: Final Push

In the last quarter, DeSales never got closer than 10. Shenandoah’s defense and rebounding kept the Bulldogs from mounting a serious comeback.

The Hornets closed it out, 58-42.

Key Performances

Some players really stood out in this one. Here are a few of the top performances:

• Lindsay Bednarek: Led the Bulldogs with 13 points and picked up two steals.
• Kayla Ishigami: Scored 11 off the bench, including a big three in the third quarter.
• Addisyn Banks (Shenandoah): Notched 12 points, steadying the Hornets’ offense.
• Emily Williams (Shenandoah): Tallied a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, just relentless on the glass.
• Brynna Nesselrodt (Shenandoah): Added 11 more for Shenandoah, keeping their attack balanced.

Statistical Highlights

The box score tells a lot of the story:

• Rebounding: Shenandoah out-rebounded DeSales 43-27, really controlling the paint.
• Shooting Percentage: DeSales shot just 32.1 percent from the field—tough to win that way.
• Turnovers: Both teams turned it over about the same, but Shenandoah made theirs count a bit more.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Games

DeSales has a shot to regroup with a string of games coming up. Next, they play Delaware Valley University on January 10 at 1:00 pm.

After that, they face Lebanon Valley College on January 14 at 6:00 pm and Arcadia University on January 21 at 7:00 pm. These matchups give the Bulldogs a chance to tweak their approach and get back on track as the season continues.

Conclusion

DeSales University’s women’s basketball team took a tough loss to Shenandoah University. It’s a setback, sure, but also a real chance for them to learn and regroup as the season goes on.