DALLAS, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2021) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team kicked off its 2021 season with a heartbreaking 56-55 loss on the road against Misericordia University. The Ducks returned to the court for the first time in 368 days and led by as many as 14 points in the second half but could not hold on as they dropped to 0-1 on the season and the Cougars moved to 1-2.

With the game tied at 55, Misericordia pulled down a defensive rebound off a missed Duck basket and drew a foul with less than two seconds left while in the bonus to go to the free throw line. Elizabeth Fasti hit one of two from the line to seal the win for the Cougars.

Allie Moss, the 2019 MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year, led the way for Stevens in the contest with nine points and six boards. The Ducks also got six points apiece from Danielle Cornetta, Christina Li and Amber Porrett in the loss.

The Ducks were extremely balanced offensively with 11 different players scoring at least two points. Misericordia was also fairly balanced in the contest, led by 12 points from Meaghan McCaffrey and scoring contributions from nine other teammates to grab the win.

Stevens started the contest with a quick 7-2 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Vanessa Elliott. Misericordia answered, however, with a 13-4 run of their own to take a 15-11 edge in the first.

Kristin Tribel, playing in her first game in over two years, helped the Ducks respond as she notched four consecutive points to end the quarter and knot the score at 17 headed into the second.

After trading buckets for the majority of the first half of the second period, Stevens closed the half on a 10-0 run, kick started by the first career points from first-year student-athlete Caitlin Berry, to head into the locker room leading 33-23.

The Ducks extended their lead to 14 two separate times in the third, but the Cougars would not go away as they closed the third on a 11-4 run to make the score 45-38 heading to the final frame.

The Cougars then proceeded to score 10 of the first 13 points of the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to four points from McCaffrey, to tie the score at 48.

Tied at 50, Stevens responded with a quick 5-0 run thanks to a pair of clutch layups from Elliott to take a five-point lead.

Misericordia stormed back, however, scoring the final six points of the game to pull out the one-point win.

Turning Point

• After a bucket by Jess Broad with 2:53 left in the third quarter put Stevens ahead by 11, McCaffrey willed her team back into the contest.
• Over the next eight minutes of game action, the Cougars outscored the Ducks 16-5 to tie the score at 48. McCaffrey was big in the run, scoring six points and pulling down two rebounds from McCaffrey in the stretch.

Inside the Numbers

• The Ducks got a huge effort from the bench in the contest, outscoring Misericordia 40-26 in bench points.
• The Cougars repaid the favor in fast break points, doubling up Stevens 14-7.
• Misericordia out-rebounded the Ducks 42-39, 13 of which came on the offensive glass.
• First-years Anika Damera, Elissa Nsenkyire, Riley Sikorski, Carina Ming, Ashlynn Barry and Caitlin Barry all made their first collegiate appearances in the contest while senior Sydney Wind earned her first career start.
• The score changed hands eight times in the contest and was tied a total of five times.
• Offensively, Stevens was effective in setting up good opportunities with 14 total assists on 22 made baskets.

Unsung Hero

• Coming off the bench, Porrett was extremely efficient in her 11 minutes of game action. The junior finished with six points, four boards an assist and a steal and went 2 for 2 from the floor and 2 for 3 from the free throw line.

From the Sidelines (Head Coach Megan Haughey)

• "I was proud of the fight we showed on the court and it was great to be back as a team competing. I thought we lacked consistency on defense from one half to another and our offensive chemistry is going to take time. We saw flashed of great ball movement and priding assists which was great. We will continue to get better and work."

Up Next

• Stevens will play in a Red/White Inter-Squad Scrimmage Friday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. inside Canavan Arena.
• Following the scrimmage, the Ducks will travel to Madison, N.J. to take on Drew University Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m.
• Stevens won the last matchup between the two schools back in November of 2006, 71-43.

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