HOBOKEN, N.J. – Senior guard Kathryn Pearson scored 20 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead FDU-Florham to a 76-57 win over Stevens Institute of Technology on Monday in a non-conference women’s basketball game at the Canavan Arena.
Stevens (5-9) received 18 points from senior forward Vanessa Williams (Forest Hills, N.Y./Townsend Harris) and 14 from junior guard Aracely Cruz (Union City, N.J./Union Hill). Cruz scored on a layup off a steal with 3:20 left in the second half, giving her 1,001 points for her career. She became just the third player in Stevens women’s basketball history to reached the 1,000-point milestone, joining Erin Horner (1,054) and Shanna Garber (1,016).
FDU-Florham (7-8) built a 50-24 halftime lead as Pearson recorded a double-double in the first half with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Devils, who made 13 of their first 18 shots, built a quick 10-point lead less than six minutes into the game. Flaherty had eight points and sophomore Pamela Sagehorn scored six as the Devils led 18-8 with 14:43 left in the first.
Leading 32-21 with 8:42 left in the half, FDU outscored Stevens 18-3 over the remainder of the half to open up a 26-point halftime lead. The Devils shot 59.5 percent in the first half (22-for-37). The Ducks struggled from the floor, shooting just 31.3 percent (10-for-32) in the first half.
Stevens outscored FDU 33-26 in the second half, forcing 19 turnovers and holding the Devils to 35.7 percent shooting. Cruz had just seven points with six minutes left, but exploded for seven points in a span of just 1:52 to achieve the milestone.
FDU had four players finish in double figures. In addition to Pearson, freshmen Ashley Flaherty and Danielle Yasko added 12 points each while Sagehorn contributed 11.
Stevens returns to action on Wednesday, January 29, when it hosts Centenary College in a 7 p.m. game at the Canavan Arena.
