HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 21, 2023) - Sophomore Leyla Castro scored a career-high 26 points and tallied a season-high eight rebounds as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team defeated Hunter 65-59 Tuesday evening inside Canavan Arena.

The Ducks (5-1) remain unbeaten inside Canavan Arena this season, improving to 2-0. Stevens also started 5-1 last season. The Ducks have now won five-straight over the Hawks after losing the opening match of the series. Hunter drops to 2-3.

There was not much to split the teams early on as Hunter and Stevens traded buckets. With the Ducks up nine, Castro drilled a three to give the Ducks a four point advantage. The lead ballooned to 11 for the Ducks in the first when first-year Paige Gorczyca made a jumper with 55 seconds left on the clock. The Ducks led 22-13 after one. The Ducks maintained their advantage in the beginning of the second as the two teams once again traded points. Junior Lucy Alberici and sophomore Dorothy Loffredo each scored for the home side. Loffredo converted another basket with 5:48 on the clock to put Stevens up 30-20. Stevens only would be able to score two more points the rest of the half as the Ducks maintained a slim 32-28 advantage at the break.

Hunter cut the deficit to one 59 seconds into the half. The Hawks then took the lead at the 6:00 mark after making a three. Alberici quickly got the lead back for Stevens after she made a layup to put the Ducks up 39-38. Castro forced a turnover from Hunter on the next possession and then was left open for a jumper on offense, which she drained to give Stevens a 41-38 lead. The Hawks would go on a 12-7 run to end the quarter and take a 50-48 lead into the fourth quarter. Gorczyca scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to tie things at 50, but Hunter quickly answered to re-take the lead. Castro would give Stevens the lead at the 6:36 point as she stole the ball and took it the distance to put the Ducks up 59-57. Castro continued to cook as she drained a jumper with 4:01 on the clock to put Stevens up four, and then she was left wide open for a three at the top of the arc with 1:50 showing on the clock as Stevens gained a 72-67 advantage. 44 seconds later Hunter converted an and-one to get back to within two. With 11 seconds left and the score still 72-70, Alberici converted two clutch free throws to make it a two-possession game. Hunter then came down and made a three with three seconds left. Castro was then fouled on the inbound and she made two free throws. The Hawks didn't get a shot up in the final 2.7 seconds as the Ducks held on for the victory.

Top Performers

• Castro also added four assists, two blocks, and a steal.
• Alberici tallied her first career double-double, scoring 16 points and adding 10 boards.
• Loffredo scored 14 points and tallied seven boards. 
• Gorczyca had career highs in points (13) and rebounds (9).
• Stevens shot 38.2 percent (26-68) from the field and 22.2 percent (2-9) from three. The Ducks also shot 78.6 percent (22-28) from the line.

The Opponent

• Alexa Charles led Hunter in points (27), rebounds (8), assists (5), and steals (8).
• Erin Cosio scored 22 points and drained four three-pointers.
• Katie Burke scored nine points and added seven rebounds.
• Hunter shot 37.5 percent (27-72) from the field and 36.0 percent (9-25) from three. They also went 10-13 from the free throw line (76.9%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• FDU-Florham 63, St. Joe's (LI) 79 F/SUN
• DeSales 58, Susquehanna 41 F/SUN
• Immaculata 56, Delaware Valley 70 F/MON
• DeSales vs. Moravian 6 p.m.
• Bard vs. FDU-Florham 6 p.m.
• Wilkes vs. King's 7 p.m.
• Juniata vs. Arcadia 7 p.m.

Up Next: Women's basketball is off for Thanksgiving break and returns to the court on Monday when they visit No. 6/5 Scranton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Ducks are 1-6 all-time against the Royals, winning the latest matchup in the series. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com