ITHACA, N.Y. (February 4, 2017)  – A 7-0 run to open the third quarter proved to be too much to overcome as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team fell at Ithaca College, 74-53, in an Empire 8 Conference matchup Saturday.

Junior Megan Brown scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Ducks. Graduate student Kaitlyn Astel added 11 points and freshman Alison Criswell scored 10 as Stevens fell to 11-9 overall and 10-2 in conference play. The loss snapped Stevens' eight-game E8 winning streak.

Jordan Beers led all players with 22 points and Ali Ricchiuti added 19 points and nine boards for Ithaca, who improved to 18-3 overall and 10-2 in league play. The victory snapped a four-game winning streak for Stevens in the series.

Stevens, Hartwick, and Ithaca are deadlocked at 10-2 atop the Empire 8 standings.

Turning Point

• Heading into the intermission with a three-point lead, the Ducks turned the ball over to open the third quarter.
• Ricchiuti opened the second-half scoring with a putback basket off her own offensive rebound.
• Erin Woop and Julie Yacovoni drained a pair of jumpers to push the lead to three.
• Ricchiuti bookended the run with a fast break basket to extend the lead to 33-28.
• Criswell would sink a three to pull the Ducks within two (35-33).
• Ithaca closed the quarter on a 20-5 run over the final 6:19 to put the game out of reach.

Inside the Numbers

• Although the Ducks held the edge on the boards (32-31), Ithaca held a 15-6 advantage on the offensive glass, leading to a 16-4 margin in second-chance points.
• After shooting 41% in the first half, the Ducks struggled from the field in the game's final 20 minutes, shooting 7-for-26 in the second half, including 1-for-9 from behind the arc.
• After compiling a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio against Elmira, the Ducks only accumulated 14 helpers with 21 turnovers.
• The Ducks were held to a season-low two points off the bench.
• Three blocks from Toke and junior Brooke Stoddard helped Stevens claim a 6-3 advantage.
• Stevens continues to improve from the free throw line, draining 13 of 19 attempts, including six from Brown. Criswell went a perfect 4-for-4.

Unsung Hero

• Criswell's double-digit effort was the third of the season for the freshman.
• Following her career-best performance against Elmira, junior Anna Toke recorded six points and eight rebounds, to go along with her three blocks.

Up Next

• Stevens plays away from Canavan Arena for the second straight weekend.
• A Friday night matchup with Alfred University begins the final road trip of the season.
• Stevens defeated Alfred, 93-45, on January 14. The Ducks have won the last 19 matchups between the teams.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com.

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