SELINSGROVE, Pa. (November 10, 2021) – Senior
Meghan Douglas filled the stat sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, but the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team dropped its season opener at Susquehanna University 63-57 Wednesday in a non-conference tilt at Houts Gymnasium.
Senior
Allie Moss added 11 points and three steals and classmate
Jess Broad scored a team-high 12 points for the Ducks, who fell to 0-1.
Olivia Brandt posted a double-double with 10 points and 14 boards and Amalia Esposito finished with a game-high 15 points for the River Hawks, who rallied in the fourth quarter to move to 2-0. It is believed to be the first meeting between the teams.
Stevens got off to a blistering start, outscoring Susquehanna 11-2 over the final minutes of the opening quarter to take a 17-10 lead. Broad was able to slice and dice her way through the River Hawk defense to convert a handful of mid-range jumpers that helped the Ducks build a lead.
The Ducks' hot shooting extended into the second quarter, where Stevens shot 11 for 21 from the field in building an 18-point halftime lead. The Ducks' success in the period was boosted by the team's defense, which caused 11 Susquehanna turnovers that led to 21 points.
Susquehanna found its stroke in the fourth quarter. The River Hawks shot 7 for 19 from the field, including 3 of 7 from behind the arc, to close the margin between the teams, eventually overtaking the Ducks for good on an Esposito layup with 2:24 left in regulation.
Pivotal Point
- Trailing by two in the minute, Douglas blocked a layup by Erin McQuillen. The rejected shot caromed back to McQuillen.
- The Susquehanna guard missed a second layup, but pulled down her second consecutive offensive board.
- The Ducks were forced to foul, leading to a pair of free throws for McQuillen, who made both to push the River Hawks' advantage to four.
Inside the Numbers
- Stevens shot a blistering 18 for 38 (.474) from the field in the first half. Conversely, the Ducks held the River Hawks to just 10 for 26 (.384). Susquehanna attempted just eight shots in the second quarter.
- Senior Vanessa Elliott had the Ducks' first points of the season with a pair of free throws.
- Susquehanna won the battle of the boards 51-38.
- Stevens gained a 12-3 edge in points off the bench.
- The Ducks turned 24 Susquehanna turnovers into 21 points.
- An aggressive defensive effort blocked eight shots and recorded 13 steals.
- The River Hawks finished with a slim 28-26 margin in points in the paint.
- The Ducks registered 14 assists on 23 baskets.
- Susquehanna missed its first eight 3-point field goal attempts.
- First-year Lucy Alberici played 14 minutes and nabbed three steals in her collegiate debut.
- Senior Keeley Coval matched a career high with five points.
- Stevens won the opening tip for the fourth straight game, dating back to the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
From the Court - Head Coach Megan Haughey
- "I thought it was the tale of two halves. We accomplished our goals defensively, on the boards, and in forcing turnovers in the first half. In the second half, we struggled to finish offensively and didn't play a full 40 minutes. We have a lot of growing to do. This is a great team with a lot of heart - we will keep getting better and growing."
Up Next
- Women's basketball heads to Union, New Jersey on Nov. 12 for the opening game of the Kean University Classic.
- Stevens will take on Eastern Connecticut State University in the first meeting between the programs.
- Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.
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