HOBOKEN, N.J. - Senior guard Aracely Cruz (Union City, N.J./Union Hill) scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as Stevens overcame a 13-point second half deficit to record a 56-48 win over Baruch College on Monday in a non-conference women's basketball game at the Canavan Arena.

Stevens (5-5) struggled from the floor in the first half as it shot just 27.3 percent (9-for-33) before the break.  Baruch (4-6) held a 30-20 lead at halftime and increased the lead to 38-25 on a free throw by Cathy Gonzalez with 15:03 left.

Stevens used a 14-0 run over the next 5:30 to retake the lead.  Cruz scored seven points during the stretch while sophomore forward Emily Weaver (Prince Frederick, Md./The Calverton School) added four points. A short jumper by Cruz put the Ducks ahead 39-38 with 9:33 to play.

The lead changed hand four times over the next four minutes before Cruz put Stevens ahead to stay, 47-46 on a driving layup with 5:02 remaining.  She scored a minute later and then sank a pair of free throws with 3:13 left to give the Ducks a 51-46 lead.

Sophomore Diane Ramirez pulled Baruch within 51-48 on a jumper with 2:46 left, but Stevens junior Jaime Mehnert (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) made one of two free throws at the 1:06 mark and Cruz iced the win with a runner in the lane with 24 seconds left.

Mehnert added 12 points while sophomore forward Jenna Gambino (Staten Island, N.Y./St. John Villa Academy) had 11 points and nine rebounds.  Weaver added nine points and a season-high 10 rebounds.  Stevens outrebounded Baruch 53 to 35.

The Ducks return to action on Thursday, January 15, when they open Skyline Conference play at home against Mount St. Mary.