Box Score UTICA, N.Y. (February 13, 2016) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team picked up its seventh straight victory, topping Utica College 69-61 Saturday.

The Ducks moved to 17-5 and 13-0 in the Empire 8 Conference, while Utica fell to 8-15 and 3-11 in conference play.

Stevens opened with the first four points, as seniors Miranda Ripken and Dylan Krause each hit layups. Utica would get to within 8-5 on a three by Mary Miceli, but the Ducks would close out the first quarter on an 11-3 spurt, capped off with back-to-back jumpers by senior Kaitlyn Astel.

The Ducks used their force in the paint, as Krause and sophomores Megan Brown and Anna Toke would connect on second quarter layups, extending the lead to double-digits. Miceli would hit a trey to trim the deficit to nine points, but junior Erica Guketlov responded with one of her own on the next possession to reaffirm the double-digit halftime lead.

Astel would hit a layup with 5:46, left in the third quarter to put Stevens up 15, but the Pioneers clawed all the way back with an 18-6 run, cutting the game down to a single possession affair. That would be as close as they would get in the third frame, as Brown would hit a pair from the free throw line and Astel hit a jumper to go back up seven. The Pioneers would get no closer in the fourth stanza, as the Ducks would hit their free throws down the stretch to ward off Utica.

Astel led the Ducks with 17 points, while Ripken had 17 points and seven rebounds. Brown posted another double-double of 10 points and 11 boards, while Krause chipped in nine points and eight rebounds.

Miceli had a game-high 19 points while Rachel Hunter and Ashelyne Babb combined for 25 off the bench for Utica.

The Ducks return home for the final time during the regular season Tuesday, taking on Hartwick College at 8 p.m.

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