HOBOKEN, N.J. (December 8, 2021)  – Senior Keeley Coval scored a career-high 15 points on 5 for 6 shooting from behind the arc, but the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team fell to DeSales University 71-58 Wednesday night in a MAC Freedom matchup at Canavan Arena.

Sophomore Elissa Nsenkyire came off the bench to also score a career-high 15 points for the Ducks, who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end. The setback dropped Stevens to 7-2 on the year and to 2-1 in league play.

All-American Averi Jordan had 22 points and Amelia Saunders came off the bench to add 14 for DeSales, who improved to 5-3 on the year and to 3-0 in conference play. The Bulldogs have won four straight and have won the last four meetings between the programs. 

Coval turned in perhaps her best offensive performance as a Duck, scoring six points in the first half and nine in the second. The Orefield, Pennsylvania native scored all of her points from behind the arc, including a perfect 3 for 3 performance in the second half. The 15-point outing was the second double-digit scoring effort of Coval's career.

Stevens found itself in an early hole after Megan Bealer netted the first points of the contest. The resilient Ducks were able to get on the board courtesy of a Nsenkyire triple, however DeSales scored the next nine points to jump back in front.

The Ducks chipped away at the DeSales lead throughout the second quarter, pulling within 10 on a free throw by senior Vanessa Elliott just before halftime. 

A decisive run in the third quarter pushed DeSales' lead to as much as 24, before the Ducks rallied in the final period. The Ducks outscored the Bulldogs by 12 in the final stanza and closed the gap to single digits after another long three by Nsenkyire. DeSales would sink four free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. 

Pivotal Point

• Senior Jess Broad made two free throws followed by a fast-break layup to draw Stevens within 10 at 43-33 with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
• Jordan would knock down a short jumper in the paint to spark a 12-0 run that swelled DeSales' advantage to 22. 

Inside the Numbers

• The Ducks made a season-high eight 3's.
• DeSales won the battle of the board 44-41, although the Ducks held a 16-11 edge in offensive rebounds.
• The disparity in offensive boards led to a 16-7 advantage for the Ducks in second-chance points. 
• Stevens forced 17 DeSales turnovers, while committing 16. The Ducks were able to convert the 17 Bulldog miscues into 12 points. 
• Stevens was a perfect 5 for 5 from the line in the second half .
• Each side had 11 fast-break points.
• Each side had exactly 16 assists.
• DeSales' Mikaela Reese blocked four shots as the Bulldogs totaled nine for the game. Senior Meghan Douglas led the Ducks with two.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Megan Haughey

• "Tonight was a learning experience for our crew about playing hard for 40 minutes. We have a team full of fighters, who believe in one another and possess great leadership. We will turn this experience into an opportunity for our team to grow."
• "Keeley Coval continues to provide an enormous spark off the bench and Elisa Nsenkyire was able to come in and help set the tone on the offensive end of the floor."

Up Next

• Women's basketball resumes non-conference play on Dec. 11, when the Ducks host No. 19/20 Scranton in Canavan Arena.
• The teams have not faced one another since Dec. 2, 2009.
• Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.

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