OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – Senior guard Aracely Cruz (Union City, N.J./Union Hill) scored 13 points – all in the second half – to lead Stevens Institute of Technology to a 51-50 come-from-behind win over SUNY-Old Westbury on Thursday in a Skyline Conference women’s basketball game.

The game was the conference opener for Stevens (3-5/1-0).  SUNY-Old Westbury falls to 3-8 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Stevens trailed 25-18 at halftime after shooting just 21.2 percent in the opening half.  Old Westbury scored the first four points of the second half to build an 11-point lead.  The Panthers held a 40-35 lead following a basket by Stephanie Cumberbatch at the 9:45 mark.  The Ducks then used a 7-0 run over the next 3:42 to take a 42-40 lead.  Cruz ignited the surge with a 3-pointer at the 9:33 mark.

Old Westbury countered with six straight points – four by Rosemarie Martin – to jump in front 46-42 with 4:20 left.  Stevens answered with a 9-0 run over the next 2:10 to take a 51-46 lead.  Cruz had four points while senior guard Mia Molfino (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) connected on a 3-pointer for the decision basket with 2:10 remaining.  The Ducks were held scoreless in the final two minutes while the Panthers used four free throw to cut the final margin to one.