ROCHESTER, N.Y. (December 6, 2009) – Sophomore forward Jillian Barrett scored a career-high 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, and the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team outscored host Rochester Institute of Technology 47-30 in the second en route to a 76-64 win on Sunday afternoon in Clark Gym in Rochester, N.Y. Senior forward Brittany Fuller and sophomore guard Kathleen Schuckers tallied 23 and 14 points, respectively, as the Ducks improve to 2-0 in the Empire 8 and 4-4 overall.
After senior guard Sarah Gehring put the Ducks on top 3-0 59 seconds in, the Tigers (3-4 overall, 0-2 Empire 8) erupted for 14-straight points over a span 2:25 to take a 14-3 lead with 15:34 remaining in the first half. Senior Danielle Furman (Coudersport, Pa.) and sophomore Sharon Dennis (Liverpool, N.Y.) each scored five points in the run.
The Ducks were able to make it a five-point game with 10:10 left in the first after Fuller made a jump shot following a Shuckers steal, but RIT answered with a 7-1 spurt to push its advantage back to 13 (27-14) with 5:58 to play in the opening half.
Stevens came back with a 9-0 run of its own as sophomore guard Dawn Garcia got things started with a three. Schuckers followed with two-straight layups, and Fuller capped the run with a jumper to make 27-23 RIT with 3:13 to remaining in the first. The two teams would trade baskets the rest of the half and the Tigers went into the break with a 34-29 edge after shooting 56 percent from the field and 4-of-7 from deep.
RIT was able to extend its lead to eight at 44-36 with 16:56 left in the game, but the Ducks had the answer and went on a 14-3 run of their own to take a 50-47 advantage with 11:08 to go. Fuller scored the first four points, Gehring hit a three-pointer in between a pair of Barrett layups, and Fuller gave the Ducks the lead for good with a huge three-point play.
The Tigers were able to score on their next possession to make it a one-point game but would never recover as Stevens seemed to score every time down the floor. The Ducks kept increasing their lead and Schuckers hit a three to make it 62-52 Ducks with 4:16 to go. RIT could never get closer than seven the rest of the way.
Barrett (19), Fuller (12), and Shuckers (10) all scored in double figures in the second half, combining to shoot 16-of-27 from the floor, while Gehring and Garcia combined for nine assists against just one turnover. Stevens also shot 75 percent (9-of-12) from the free-throw line.
Barrett pulled down 10 offensive rebounds on the afternoon and finished shooting 10-of-18 from the floor. Fuller ended with 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a block, and Shuckers tallied 14 points, five assists, four steals, and two boards. Garcia handed out a game-high seven assists to go along with five points and two rebounds. Gehring netted nine points, pulled down three rebounds, dished out four assists, and had two steals.
Stevens shot 50 percent (18-of-36) in the second half and 45.2 percent for the game. The Ducks were 5-for-11 from long range, 15-for-21 from the line, and ended the contest with a 34-28 advantage on the boards. They also had 19 assists compared to 16 turnovers.
Dennis led the Tigers with 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals. Furman ended with 20 points, three boards, and five assists.
Stevens will now take a break for finals and winter recess before returning to action on January 2, 2010 when it hosts St. John Fisher College.
