Aracely Cruz had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

MADISON, N.J. – Senior guard Aracely Cruz (Union City, N.J./Union Hill) scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, but the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s basketball team dropped a 61-54 decision to FDU-Florham on Tuesday at the Ferguson Athletic Center.

Trailing by one point at halftime, Stevens (0-3) took a 26-25 lead on a layup by sophomore forward Emily Weaver (Prince Frederick, Md./The Calverton School) with 18:20 left.  FDU-Florham (1-2) reclaimed the lead on a jumper by Meg Mallen at the 17:02 mark and never trailed the rest of the way.

Leading 29-28 with 15:02 left, FDU used an 8-2 run in a span of 3:18 to push its lead to seven points.  Stevens trimmed the deficit to three points, 37-34, on a layup by junior forward Lauren Bialko (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) with 11:51 left.  The Devils scored the next six points – four by Pamela Sagehorn – to push the lead back up to nine.  FDU led by as many as 13 points in the second half.

Stevens made a late run as back-to-back 3-pointers by Cruz and sophomore guard Gina Joyce (Fort Myers, Fla./Cypress Lake) pulled the Ducks to within 57-52 with 1:14 left.  FDU converted four of six free throws in the final 43 seconds to hold off Stevens.

Sophomore forward Jenna Gambino (Staten Island, N.Y./St. John Villa Academy) turned in a strong effort for Stevens with 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals.  Bialko added nine points and six rebounds.

FDU-Florham had four players finish in double figures.  Ashley Flaherty recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.  Sagehorn also had 13 points while Jessie Chalmers finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.  Margie Goodspeed added 10 points off the bench.

Stevens opens its home schedule on Monday, December 1, with a 7 p.m. game against Ramapo College.