CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (February 21, 2024) - Sophomore Leyla Castro scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team lost to No. 18/14 DeSales 89-67 in the MAC Freedom Semifinals Wednesday night.

The #4 Ducks finish the season with a 14-12 record.  #1 DeSales takes all three matchups against the Ducks this year. DeSales is currently 24-2 and will play #2 Arcadia on Saturday in the MAC Freedom Championship.

Sophomores Sophia Bica and Dorothy Loffredo scored the first two baskets of the game for Stevens as they led 4-2. DeSales then went on a 13-0 run as they took a commanding 11-point early lead. That didn't deter the Ducks, as they would fight back to get within eight to end the frame. Gorczyca scored four points in the first, while Bica hit a three at the buzzer, as DeSales led 23-15 after one. The Bulldogs started the second by hitting a triple, but the Ducks scored the next four to get back within seven. With 2:56 on the clock, Castro made a jumper that brought the Ducks to within three at 29-26. Castro would later add a triple with six seconds left, as DeSales led just 34-31 at the break.

To start the second half, DeSales scored the first nine as they took a 12-point lead. DeSales would then score five of the next seven, which Castro responded with a basket from behind the arc. Down 53-36, Gorczyca and junior Lucy Alberici made back-to-back baskets that trimmed the deficit to 13. Castro made a buzzer beater basket to end the third, but DeSales led 63-47. With 8:18 left in the fourth, DeSales took a 23-point lead. With under five to go and trailing by 24, Stevens rattled off six-straight, but the deficit was too much to overcome, as the Ducks fell to the Bulldogs.

Top Performers

• Castro added three assists and a block.
• Alberici scored 11 points and provided three assists.
• Gorczyca scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds.
• Schubiger also scored eight points.
• Stevens shot 47.2 percent (25-53) from the field and 46.2 percent (6-13) from three. The Ducks also shot 68.8 percent (11-16) from the line.

The Opponent

• Olivia Scotti scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and tallied six assists.
• Megan Bealer scored 21 points and had five steals.
• Mikaili Donmoyer added 16 points.
• DeSales shot 50.0 percent (32-64) from the field and 45.2 percent (14-31) from three. They also went 11-13 from the free throw line (84.6%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• #3 Lebanon Valley 52, #2 Arcadia 53