UTICA, N.Y. (January 3, 2017)  – Graduate student Kaitlyn Astel scored a season-high 23 points, junior forward Megan Brown notched her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, and the reigning Empire 8 Conference champion Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team opened up league play with a 71-53 victory over the Utica Pioneers at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center Tuesday.

Junior Anna Toke added nine points and nine rebounds and freshman guard Zoe Hahn filled the stat sheet with eight points, four rebounds and three steals off the bench for the Ducks, who improved to 2-6 overall and 1-0 in the E8. The Ducks won 15 consecutive league games in 2016 en route to winning the program's first championship since 2011. 

Ashley Mayo led Utica with 13 points and six assists. Ashelyne Babb added seven points and six rebounds for the Pioneers, who fell to 2-8 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Turning Point

• Babb's first-quarter layup opened the game's scoring. This would be Utica's only lead of the game.
• Senior guard Erica Guketlov answered with a three to give Stevens a 3-2 edge.
• After the teams alternated baskets, a 10-2 run closed the quarter for the Ducks.
• Five different players scored during the run as the Ducks scored off a layup, a jumper, a three-pointer and at the free throw line.
• The run extended into the second quarter as Toke, Astel and sophomore guard Elena Sanchez scored the frame's first five points to give the Ducks a 26-10 edge.
• Utica would not get any closer than 13 points over the remainder of the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens held a +20 edge (56-36) on the glass, including an 18-11 margin on the offensive boards.
• The 56 total rebounds marked a new high for the season.
• The Ducks outrebounded their opponent for the third straight game.
• Despite 11 offensive rebounds, a strong defensive effort by Stevens only allowed one second-chance point by the Pioneers.
• Astel's 3 steals and Brown's 3 blocks contributed to season-high team totals in both categories.
• Stevens shot a season-high 42% (29-of-69) from the field, including 5-of-18 from behind the arc.
• The strong shooting percentage led to a season-high 71 points for the Ducks.
• Seven players registered an assist as the team dished out a season-best 11 in the game.

Unsung Heroes

• Brown's double-double was the 16th of her career. The forward is among the national leaders in rebounding with 11.1 boards per game.
• Astel's 23 points marked the 21st game in which the high-scoring guard topped the 20-point mark.
• Junior forward Brooke Stoddard grabbed a career-high eight rebounds off the bench,

Haughey's Thoughts

• "I thought we played solid team basketball, attacked gaps against the zone and did a nice job of sharing the ball."
• "We wanted to control the boards and we were able to do that."
• "A great team effort as we payed a deeper rotation."

Up Next

• The Ducks return to Canavan Arena for an E8 matchup with Elmira College on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 p.m.
• The home contest will be the first for Stevens in seven weeks (Nov. 19 vs. Stevenson).
• The Ducks swept the 2015-16 season series with Elmira, including a 67-55 victory in Hoboken on January 30, 2016.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com

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