(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team made a strong run to close out the opening round of the Centennial Conference playoffs, pulling away from Swarthmore College for a 59-49 victory on Tuesday night.

Senior Emily Padalino (West Sand Lake, N.Y./Albany Academy) opened the game with a three-pointer and the Red Devils jumped out to an early 7-2 advantage.

Swarthmore pulled in front late in the first quarter to lead 13-10 at the first break. The Garnet would hold the lead through most of the contest until a 23-9 fourth quarter propelled the Red Devils into Friday night's semifinal at Haverford College.

Padalino knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the second to give Dickinson a 27-25 lead at halftime.

Halle Maeda (Santa Monica, Calif./Mira Costa) hit a three-pointer to start the second half before the Garnet rallied and took a 40-36 edge into the final quarter.

First-year Mia Kolb (Jenkintown, Pa./Jenkintown) sparked a quick start in the fourth as the Red Devils turned up the intensity. Kolb made a strong move and completed a three-point play to pull Dickinson within one and then buried a three-pointer for a 44-42 lead at the 5:55 mark.

Kate Montgomery (Scituate, Mass./Scituate) dished a nice feed to Kate Deutsch (Marlton, N.J./Camden Catholic) before a three-pointer from Maeda and foul-line jumper by Padalino gave the Red Devils a seven-point advantage with 3:31 remaining in regulation.

Swarthmore made a final push, cutting the deficit to three, but a strong move inside from Deutsch and free throws from Kolb, Leverone and Maeda secured the win down the stretch.

Deutsch worked her way to a game-high 18 points, pulling down eight rebounds including three on the offensive end. Kolb went 5-for-7 from the floor, scoring 14 points to go with three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Padalino finished with 13 points and eight rebounds and Maeda went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, adding 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.

The Red Devils improve to 16-10 on the season. They advance to Friday night's semifinals at Haverford and will square-off against top-seed at 6:00 pm.