ALFRED, N.Y. (January 6, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team scored the first 11 points of the game - with senior Dawn Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) personally supplying the first five - in their Empire 8-opening victory at Alfred University on Friday. The Ducks (4-6, 1-0) raced out to a 41-22 halftime lead and continued to handle the Saxons (7-4, 0-1) with little trouble in the second period to sew up the win.

All five Stevens starters contributed to the 11-0 opening run, either with assists or points of their own. Overall, 11 different Ducks saw action in the contest. The Stevens defense held Utica to just 40 percent shooting for the game and forced 20 turnovers.

The Ducks also featured a balanced scoring attack, with Victoria Webber (Silver Spring, Md.), Jillian Barrett (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Avis Benjamin (Queens, N.Y.) all in double digits as well. Webber, in her first game back from injury as a starter, poured in 16 points with eight rebounds in 27 minutes of work. Barrett and Benjamin contributed to the winning effort with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Garcia, the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Week, finished with 23 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in her final line. She was also a stellar 3-of-4 from behind the arc.

The Ducks will hop back on the bus and travel to Elmira College tomorrow for a 2 p.m. tilt. The game will be webcast at www.empire8.tv.

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