PITTSFORD, N.Y. (January 21, 2017)  – Graduate student Kaitlyn Astel set a Stevens women's basketball record with a career-high 36 points on 13-for-17 shooting as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team turned a one-point halftime deficit into an 81-68 victory over St. John Fisher College Saturday afternoon.

The previous mark of 33 points was recorded by Aracely Cruz against Concordia in the 2000-2001 season.

The victory was the fifth straight for the Ducks who improved to 8-7 overall and 7-1 in the Empire 8 Conference. Stevens women's basketball crossed over the .500 mark for the first time this season. 

Junior Megan Brown had 13 points and six rebounds and junior Anna Toke filled the stat sheet for the second consecutive game, totaling 13 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Caroline Robertson lead the Cardinals with 26 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Emily Piacentini and Nicole Robinson also reached double-digits for St. John Fisher, who fell to 6-9 overall and 3-3 in the E8.

Stevens remains tied with Hartwick College atop the E8 standings.

Turning Point

• Robertson beat the second-quarter buzzer with a nifty layup, to give the Cardinals a one-point lead at halftime
• Robertson added to her point total, scoring off a feed from Piacentini as St. John Fisher took advantage of a Stevens turnover.
• The teams alternated baskets until Piacentini scored off a layup to reclaim a one-point advantage for the Cardinals.
• Toke answered with a short jumper to give Stevens a 39-38 lead at the 7:57 mark.
• The basket sparked a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 49-38 lead, that Stevens held onto for the remainder of the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens returned to its hot-shooting ways, shooting 50% from the field for the fourth time in five games.
• Astel's 36 points were the most scored by an Empire 8 Conference women's basketball player this season and the second-highest mark by any E8 player.
• Her previous career high was a 27-point effort against DeSales on Dec. 9, 2014.
• The Ducks crossed the 80-point mark for the third time this season, surpassing their 2015-16 total.
• The Ducks shot an outstanding 91.7% from the free throw line, sinking 22-of-24 attempts. Astel led the way with a perfect 9-for-9.
• Stevens held the advantage in points off turnovers and bench points.

Unsung Heroes

• Freshman Zoe Hahn again provided a spark off the bench, leading all non-starters with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.
• Junior Brooke Stoddard snagged six rebounds and blocked two shots off the bench.

Haughey's Thoughts

• "Erica Guketlov's defense and assists made us go tonight."
• "Kaitlyn and Anna got us going offensively and provided an offensive spark that we needed for a big third-quarter push."
• "Overall, great team weekend, playing as road warriors in two gyms that are hard to play in."

Up Next

• The Ducks return to Canavan Arena for a non-conference matchup with The College of New Jersey Monday evening.
• The matchup will be the final home non-conference matchup for the Ducks.
• TCNJ edged Stevens, 64-59, in Ewing last season. The Ducks claimed a 63-50 victory at Canavan Arena in 2015.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com

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