HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 8, 2022)  – Senior Jess Broad scored a game-high 18 points, but it was a determined defensive effort that led the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team to a 59-46 victory over Misericordia University Saturday in a MAC Freedom matchup at Canavan Arena.

Sophomore Elissa Nsenkyire came off the bench to record her third career double-digit performance with 13 points with a pair of assists for the Ducks, who won their third straight to move to 10-2 on the year and 4-1 in conference play. The 10-2 mark is the team's best record through the first 12 games of the season since the Ducks went 11-1 en route to a 22-5 finish in 2014-15.

Samantha Hardy came off the bench with nine points to lead Misericordia, who dropped their fourth straight in falling to 6-7 on the year and to 2-4 in league play. The Cougars did not have a player reach double figures for the second time this season.

Although Misericordia held a slim 11-10 lead after the first quarter, the Ducks' defense took over in the second. The Ducks held the Cougars scoreless for over five minutes in the stanza, forcing the visitors into a 3 for 15 shooting performance as the Ducks took a three-point lead into halftime. 

An especially stingy Stevens defense again took over in the final period as the Ducks forced Misericordia into shooting just 33% from the floor (5 for 15), including 0 for 5 from behind the arc. While the Ducks did not allow the Cougars to find many quality looks, they also controlled the boards in the decisive period, holding a 13-3 edge in rebounds, including just one on the offensive glass. Senior Amber Porrett led the efforts on the boards, totaling a game-high nine, including five in the second half, and is averaging seven rebounds over her last three contests.

While the Ducks were forcing Misericordia into one of its worst shooting performances of the season, Broad heated up as the game progressed, netting 12 of her 18 points in the second half to secure the victory. For the second straight game, the Ducks successfully closed out the game on the line, with Porrett, Nsenkyire and senior Allie Moss combining to go 7 for 8 from the line as Stevens used a 7-0 run down the stretch to seal the victory. 

Pivotal Point

• Leading by five with just under four minutes remaining in the game, Broad quickly closed the distance on Chloe Captoni's 3-pointer, blocking the shot and forcing a shot clock violation.
• Senior Meghan Douglas drew a foul on the Ducks' next possession. The Branchburg, New Jersey native made one of her two attempts to push the Ducks' lead to six.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot Misericordia 40.7% to 31.4. The Ducks did not allow the Cougars to net more than five field goals in any quarter. It is the second time this season that the Ducks have shot 40.7% from the floor.
• Stevens won the battle of the boards, 36-33, including an 11-8 margin on the offensive glass. It is the third straight game that a Stevens opponent pulled down exactly 33 rebounds. 
• The Ducks forced 24 turnovers for the fourth time this season. The 24 miscues turned into 16 points. Although the Ducks forced seven more turnovers than they committed, Misericordia finished with more steals (13-11). 
• Each of the Ducks last seven points came at the line for the second game in a row.
• The Ducks held a 32-18 advantage in points in the paint. 
• Broad finished with five assists, three blocks and five steals. She ranks second in the conference in blocks, fifth in assists and third in steals.
• The Ducks earned what is believed to be their first-ever victory over Misericordia.

Unsung Hero

• Moss finished 6 for 6 from the line and is shooting 91.3% on the season. She continues to rank among the nation's leaders.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Megan Haughey

• "Today we relied on team defense with a strong contribution specifically from Amber; her powerful rebounding and active work in the paint paved the way for key stops. Our ability to get into the paint with strong finishes was key in the second half as well."
• "Elissa was a spark off the bench with her ability to change speeds to get to the rim."

Up Next

• Women's basketball continues MAC Freedom play on Jan. 12 at Delaware Valley. 
• The Ducks swept the season series in 2019-20 in what is believed to be the first two meetings between the programs.
• A link for live stats is available on StevensDucks.com.

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