HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 22, 2016) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball used 44 point second half to storm past Nazareth College 66-61 in Empire 8 Conference action Friday.

The Golden Flyers (11-5, 4-3 E8) rolled off the opening five points before senior Miranda Ripken connected on a three to open the scoring for the Ducks. Naz extended its lead to 19-10 before a three pointer by junior Erica Guketlov drilled a trey to trim the deficit to six heading into the second frame.

The teams traded the first few points before a layup by Nazareth's Lindsey Kelly put the visitors back up nine points. After a three by sophomore Sydney Darby, Naz scored the final four points to enter the half up 10. The Golden Flyers shot 50% from the field in the first half, and held the Ducks to 22.5%.

The Ducks stormed back to start the second half, scoring the first 10 points. Sophomore Megan Brown scored four in a row before Darby went for five straight to give the hosts a nine point lead. After Naz trimmed the edge to six, sophomore Anna Toke hit a pair from the charity stripe to go up eight heading into the final stanza.

Senior Kaitlyn Astel hit a layup to push the lead to double-digits, and a shot from behind the arc by senior Dylan Krause gave the Ducks their biggest lead at 12 points. Ripken, Brown and Astel all hit clutch free-throws in the final minute to ice the game for the Ducks.

Astel led four Ducks in double figures with 14, while Brown and Ripken each had 12. Toke filled the stat sheet with four points, three assists, four steals and a career-high 16 rebounds.

Kelly had 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Sam Sorge had 16 points and four assists.

The Ducks will be back in action next Friday, taking on St. John Fisher College at 6 p.m.

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