WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (January 5, 2022)  – Seniors Meghan Douglas and Allie Moss each hit a pair of free throws in the final minute to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team to a 59-51 victory over King's College Wednesday night in a MAC Freedom matchup at McGrane Gymnasium.

Senior Jess Broad turned in her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 boards for the Ducks, who won their second straight to move to 9-2 on the year and to 3-1 in conference play. 

Emily Kriston had 17 points and seven rebounds to lead King's, who fell to 8-5 on the year and to 2-2 in league action. The setback snapped the Monarchs' two-game winning streak. Stevens has won each of the last two meetings between the teams.

A strong defensive effort allowed Stevens to hold King's more than 20 points under its season average and to just a single point over the final 6:58 as the Ducks used a 14-1 run to close out the victory. 

In their first game since Dec. 11, the Ducks opened strong, connecting on three of their first four shots to take an early lead. Stevens shot 2 for 3 from behind the arc and over 50% from the floor in the opening quarter in building a 19-15 lead.

King's was able to take control of the game in the second quarter, making 6 for 8 free throws in the period to take a slim three-point lead at halftime. Although the Ducks committed five fouls in the frame, which led to the Monarchs earning eight attempts from the line, the Ducks combined for just five fouls in the second half, resulting in only two free throws for the home team over the final two periods. 

As the Ducks clamped down on King's, Moss took over in the second half, netting 12 of her season- and game-high 18 points over the final 20 minutes. The Raleigh, North Carolina native finished 6 for 11 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from behind the arc, while also making three of her four attempts from the line. She continues to lead the league in free-throw shooting (90%), while also ranking among the national leaders (ninth in Division III entering tonight's game). 

Down two at the start of the final period, the Ducks held King's to just three field goals in the fourth quarter, including none from long distance. Stevens also forced six turnovers in the period, while not allowing an offensive rebound, to secure the victory.

Pivotal Point

• With just over a minute to play and Stevens holding a three-point advantage, first-year Lucy Alberici played strong one-on-one defense on King's Sarah Heiskell-Mann, forcing the six-foot forward into an awkward layup attempt.
• The Hazlet, New Jersey native then won the battle for the ensuing rebound to give the Ducks a chance to close out the contest.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot King's 38.3% to 35.8. The Ducks held the Monarchs to just 25% shooting from the floor in both the second and fourth quarters.
• Stevens won the battle of the boards 40-33 for the second straight game. Broad's 10 rebounds led all players.
• The Ducks held a 9-4 edge on the offensive glass, which led to a 6-2 advantage in second-chance points. 
• Stevens scored nine points off 17 King's turnovers.
• Each of the Ducks last seven points came at the line. 
• The Ducks received 14 points off the bench, while King's received just four.
• Broad blocked a game-high three shots and ranks second in the conference with 1.9 rejections per game. The Marlboro New Jersey native's 11 points moved the senior to 908 career points.
• The teams led for nearly the exact same amount of time. Stevens led for 4:10, while King's was in front for 4:09.

Unsung Hero

• Sophomore Elissa Nsenkyire scored five straight points over a key 40-second stretch in the fourth quarter, including a long 3-pointer, as the Ducks drew even with King's at 50.

From the Sidelines - Assistant Coach Jill Conroy

• "After a long break, it was good to get back on the court and come away with a win. We were able to close out some plays down the stretch and knocked down some key free throws at the end."

Up Next

• Women's Basketball returns to the court on Jan. 8 for a MAC Freedom tilt with Misericordia in Canavan Arena.
• The Cougars have won all three prior meetings between the teams.
• Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.

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