MADISON, N.J. (February 24, 2018) - For the sixth straight season, the FDU women's basketball team won the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament with a 76-59 win over DeSales Saturday afternoon.

The Devils, who improved to 21-6 with the victory, topped DeSales in the championship for the third straight year and the fourth time in six years. Sophomore Kendrea Williams was named the MAC Freedom Most Valuable Player after averaging 21.0 points in the two tournament games.

"I think the team has come together at the right time," said Head Coach Marc Mitchell.

The Bulldogs stormed out of the gate, hitting seven of the first eight shots to open a 15-8 lead. After Morgan Birmelin hit a trey with 3:43 left in the first quarter, the visitors went cold and the Devils heated up. Over an 11:10 span bridging the first and second quarters, the Devils went on a 20-2 run, limiting DeSales to 1-of-17 shooting from the field. During the same time frame, the Devils didn't turn the ball over and forced five DeSales turnovers. Sophomore Gabrielle Harris tallied seven consecutive points during the rally, pushing the lead into double-digits. In the second quarter alone, the Devils allowed just three baskets, outscoring DeSales 14-6.

FDU opened the second half with an 8-2 run, finished off with a trey from sophomore Taiah Thornton. After DeSales cut the lead down to 10, Williams knocked down a three, hit a layup and made a free . A 7-0 spurt from the Bulldogs brought the gap to 17, but that would be as close as they would get. After four straight free-throws from Harris pushed her over the 20-point mark, senior Nijah McQueen capped off the Devils scoring with a jumper, her first points in a Devils uniform.

After shooting just 28.1% from the field in the first half, the team rebounded by going 16-of-29 (55.2%) including 6-of-11 from behind the arc.

Four of the five Devils starters finished with 11 or more points, led by 21 points from Harris and Williams. Harris also added five rebounds and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Junior Bria Smith notched yet another double-double, her 14th of the year, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Thornton added 11 points and five assists in the win.

The Devils find out their NCAA opponent and location during the NCAA Selection Show Monday afternoon at 2:30. The show can be found on NCAA.com.