HOBOKEN, N.J. (December 29, 2023) - Junior Lucy Alberici scored 18 points, as well as recording two steals and two blocks, but it wasn't enough as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team lost to Middlebury 65-42 on day one of the Stevens Women's Basketball Holiday Classic Friday afternoon inside Canavan Arena.

The Ducks (5-5) have now lost four-straight games after starting the season 5-1. The loss also marks the Ducks' third-straight home defeat of the season, falling to 2-3 in Hoboken. Stevens is now 1-1 all-time against Middlebury. With the win, the Panthers improved to 6-4 on the year.

After the Panthers scored the first three points of the game, the Ducks went on an 8-0 run to take a five-point lead. Alberici and first-year Paige Gorczyca each made a three while sophomore Dorothy Loffredo made a two. Middlebury got it back to within two, but Alberici responded with a jumper to put the Ducks back up four. The Panthers would then take a 12-10 lead, but Alberici responded again, this time with a three, to put the Ducks back in front. Middlebury would close the quarter on a 5-0 run as they led 17-13 after one. The run would continue into the second quarter and finish as a 15-0 run as the Panthers led 27-13. Stevens finally ended their drought by Alberici at the 5:52 mark. The Panthers would finish the half outsourcing the Ducks on a 12-6 run to hold a 39-21 advantage at the break. The Ducks were in foul trouble throughout the first half, as Loffredo, along with sophomores Olivia Schubiger and Leyla Castro, each had two fouls in the half.

Stevens came out of the half and scored five straight as Loffredo made two from the line and Gorczyca made a three. The Panthers answered with five of their own. It was a very low scoring quarter as the teams combined for just 21 points, as the Ducks trailed 50-31 going into the fourth. The final frame got off to a similar start as the third as Alberici and Loffredo each made layups to open the scoring. Middlebury again would answer the Ducks as they made two-straight triples. With 4:04 left on the clock, the Panthers made a basket that put them up 20. Castro fouled out late in the second half. The Ducks' leading scorer on the year was held scoreless in the contest. Middlebury maintained that advantage the rest of the game as the Ducks fell 65-42 in game two of four inside Canavan Arena on Friday.

Top Performers

• Alberici was the only Duck who scored double-digit points.
• Gorczyca scored six points and added five rebounds.
• Loffredo scored six points, grabbed four boards, and tallied two assists.
• Senior Anika Damera also recorded six points.
• Stevens shot 29.3 percent (17-58) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-18) from three. The Ducks also shot 60.0 percent (3-5) from the line.

The Opponent

• Augusta Dixon recorded a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 boards.
• Alexa Mustafaj also tallied 18 points.
• Gabby Stuart scored 11 points and had five rebounds.
• Calie Messina recorded four assists.
• Middlebury shot 40.3 percent (25-62) from the field and 22.2 percent (4-18) from three. They also went 11-17 from the free throw line (64.7%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• King's 45, Baruch 56 F-12/12
• Bryn Athyn 49, FDU-Florham 64 F-12/13
• Wilkes 51, Delaware Valley 70 F-12/16
• Drew 69, FDU-Florham 76 F-12/16
• Lebanon Valley 66, Moravian 61 F-12/16
• Scranton 68, DeSales 63 F-12/19
• Wooster 63, FDU-Florham 77 F-12/19
• Susquehanna 59, Lebanon Valley 49 F-12/19
• DeSales 64, Principia 36 F/THUR
• DeSales 67, Hamline 55
• King's 36, Stevenson 82
• Misericordia vs. Hunter 7:00 p.m.

Up Next: Women's basketball returns to the court tomorrow for the second day of the Stevens Women's Basketball Holiday Tournament. The Ducks will face No. 3/3 Christopher Newport, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. The Ducks are 0-1 all-time against the Captains. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com

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