MONTCLAIR, N.J. (November 29, 2008) – Senior guard Dani Dudek posted a team-high 21 points and dished out seven assists to help the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team edge out Montclair State University 83-79 in overtime in the opening round of the Red Hawk/Pioneer Classic on Saturday in Montclair, N.J. Sophomore center Paige Armstrong recorded a double-double on 12 points and 10 boards. The Ducks improve to 5-1 on the year, while the Red Hawks fall to 1-3.
Down five (12-17) with 11:09 left to go in the first half, Stevens buried a pair of baskets from freshmen Jillian Barrett and Melissa Collier to bring the Ducks within one. The Red Hawks responded as senior guard Marianne McGovern (Fair Lawn, N.J.) converted a three-point basket off a foul by Stevens to go ahead 20-16. Dudek retaliated with a layup and a quick steal as the Ducks were able to capitalize off a Barrett basket and bring the contest to its third tie, 20-20.
The Ducks came back to tie it once again at 25-all with 2:43 remaining in the half. Junior forward Kisandra Ayanbeku (Burlington, Mass.) landed one-of-two free throws for a one-point advantage. Stevens then took its first lead of the game after a Dudek basket with 1:05 remaining. MSU scored in a 15-second span to go on top. After turnovers by each squad, Stevens had the ball with 20 seconds remaining to set up a three-point basket out of freshman Dawn Garcia, her first of the night with just three seconds on the clock. The Ducks went into the half ahead, 30-28.
Stevens came out and controlled the lead for over 17 minutes of the second half. Armstrong dominated as she was four of five from the floor after five offensive rebounds. Behind 57-65, the Red Hawks battled back to post a 10-2 run to knot the game for the fifth time at 67-all. With 46 seconds remaining, sophomore forward Victoria Webber put the Ducks ahead by two only to see junior guard Jackie Berry (Tuckerton, N.J.) match it with a layup. After a turnover by Stevens and a missed last shot opportunity for MSU, the game headed to overtime.
Armstrong broke the tie with a two-point basket as the Red Hawks responded with a bucket. After that it was Stevens all the way as it maintained the lead and secured its fifth win of the season. Dudek led the way with five points down the stretch. Sophomore guard Brianne Lavin was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, drilling all in the final 26 seconds of play.
Fuller finished the contest four of nine from the floor to register 12 points on four three-pointers. Defensively, she had seven total rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals. Armstrong notched a .750 shooting percentage (6 of 8) on top of her 10 rebounds. Dudek was seven of 13 from the floor and nailed six-of-six free-throws. She added five steals and four defensive boards. Webber had seven points on three field-goals including a three. The Ducks out-rebounded the Red Hawks 40-37. Stevens also recorded a field-goal percentage of 46.4 compared to 40.4 of MSU.
The Ducks will take on William Patterson University tomorrow on Day two of the Classic at 3 p.m. in Wayne, N.J. Live stats will be provided at http://www.sidearmstats.com/wpunj/wbball/.
