(Collegeville, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team fell to Ursinus, 59-49, in Centennial Conference action on Thursday night in Collegeville. The Red Devils played even until the Bears started to pull away late in the game.

The teams traded baskets in the early going, playing to a 6-6 tie. First-year Jackie Joyce (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) sank a three-pointer to give the Devils a 9-6 advantage.

The Bears rallied to pull in front 10-9, before Mackenzie Skerritt (Hightstown, N.J./The Peddie School) and Mairead Donahue (Trumball, Conn./St. Joseph's) countered on the other end.

The Devils held a 13-12 lead at the end of the quarter after Alyssa Polimeni hit a pair of free throws in the final minute.

The second quarter started with a 4-0 run by the Bears to take a 16-13 lead, forcing a Red Devil timeout. Sam Kennedy (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) came out of the timeout and hit a shot from the corner.

Helen Roberts (Oakton, Va./Oakton ) came away with a big defensive rebound and Skerritt knocked down another three-pointer for the Devils.

Libby Lannon scored on back-to- back possessions to put Ursinus up, 22-20, with 5:24 to play in the half.

Mary Martin (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) grabbed her own miss and scored on a put-back to pull the Devils even.

Another score and two free throws from Porada stretched the lead to three and a steal and lay-up from Polimeni made the score, 28-22.

After Kassidy Lesher (Shoemakersville, Pa./Hamburg) scored, Porada hit a free throw with Skerritt sinking her second three-pointer to pull the Devils within two, 29-27. Polimeni closed out the half, scoring inside to give Ursinus a 31-27 lead at the break.

Two quick fouls on the Bears and a pair of free throws from Lesher, cut the lead to a basket to start the second half.

Roberts knocked down a three-pointer to pull the Red Devils within three at the four minute mark of the third quarter. Donahue cut the margin to one with a pair of free throws.

Ursinus stretched the lead to six, 43-37, at the end of the third period. The Bears scored immediately to start the fourth but Skerritt came right back with a three-pointer on the other end.

Two free throws from Caroline Shimrock gave the Bears their biggest lead, 47-40. Polimeni made it 49-40 before Martin stopped the run with a lay-up. The Devils followed up with a free throw on an intentional foul, but couldn't convert on the possession, trailing, 49-43, with 6:49 left to play.

Two free throws and a strong move inside by Porada stretched the lead to 10 at the 4:27 mark. Polimeni added a pair from the stripe, with 3:48 remaining in the quarter to make the score, 55-43.

Kennedy made a nice move to the basket, scoring and drawing a foul. Martin was fouled and hit one-of-two to cut the deficit to single digits. She added another to cut the lead to eight.

Porado was fouled as the Devils went to a full court press. She hit both ends to extend the lead to 10. Polimeni added two more free throws to lead, 59-47. Martin closed out the game with a short jumper for the final of 59-49.

Polimeni led the Bears with 20 points, hitting 14-of-16 free throws on the night. Porado added 19 as Ursinus improves to 3-0 in the Centennial Conference and 3-3 overall.

Skerritt led the Devils with 13 points, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Kennedy scored nine points while Martin tallied eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Roberts grabbed 10 rebounds, adding five points and three assists.

The Red Devils slip to 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the CC. They return home to the Kline Center to face Haverford College on Saturday. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.