HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 3, 2024) - Sophomore Dorothy Loffredo scored 18 points and recorded seven rebounds as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team defeated Misericordia 59-42 in a MAC Freedom contest Saturday afternoon inside Canavan Arena.

The Ducks (11-10, 6-4 MAC Freedom) have now won three-straight games and have done so for just the second time this season. With the victory, the Ducks improved to 5-6 in Hoboken. Stevens improves to 5-5 all-time against Misericordia, including winning both matchups this season. The Cougars (8-13, 2-8 MAC Freedom) have now lost two-straight games. Stevens moves up to fourth as they would win the tiebreaker with Lebanon Valley but lose to Delaware Valley if the season ended today. Misericordia sits in seventh. The top four teams qualify for the MAC Freedom Tournament.

It took two and a half minutes for the first basket of the game, which came from the Cougars. Junior Lucy Alberici responded quickly for the Ducks, tying the game at two. Misericordia led 10-6 with 1:11 remaining, but the Ducks scored the final four points of the quarter, as Alberici and first-year Kay Decker each made one free throw while sophomore Leyla Castro scored a layup off a steal. The second quarter started with a triple from Castro, which put the Ducks up by three. The Cougars would then score the next four points, forcing a timeout from head coach Meg Haughey. From that point on, the Ducks allowed just three points the rest of the quarter. Tied at 14, Loffredo and sophomore Olivia Schubiger made back-to-back baskets to put the Ducks up four. Castro, Decker, and Loffredo also added baskets before the half as Stevens led 25-17 at the break.

After the Cougars made the first basket of the third quarter, Schubiger responded with four straight points to put Stevens up 10. With 4:20 left in the quarter, the Cougars got within three as the Ducks only led 34-31. The Ducks then were able to generate a 9-0 scoring run, as Loffredo made two buckets, first-year Paige Gorczyca added one, while Alberici made a triple. The Ducks would lead 43-34 entering the fourth. The Cougars would go on a 6-0 extended run that started in the third quarter as they got back to within five. Castro then made a nice driving layup to give the Ducks back some of the momentum with 7:58 to go. Misericordia would make a basket a minute later, but then would not score until under a minute to go in the game, as the Ducks used an 11-0 run to seal the season sweep of the Cougars. Loffredo scored six of the 11.

Top Performers

• Loffredo also added four assists, one steals, and one block.
• Castro scored 14 points and recorded five steals.
• Schubiger scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
• Alberici and Decker also had seven rebounds each.
• Stevens shot 36.7 percent (22-60) from the field and 22.2 percent (2-9) from three. The Ducks also shot 65.0 percent (13-20) from the line.

The Opponent

• Skylar Bianchi had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
• Jocelyn Grosch scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds.
• Caitlin Landgraf scored seven points and had three steals.
• Misericordia shot 28.1 percent (16-57) from the field and 15.8 percent (3-19) from three. They also went 7-8 from the free throw line (87.5%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• FDU-Florham 42, DeSales 92
• Arcadia 62, King's 45
• Lebanon Valley 56, Delaware Valley 69

Up Next: Women's basketball continues conference play on the road on Wednesday as they visit No. 17/18 DeSales. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The two teams met earlier this season in Hoboken, with the Bulldogs winning 68-48. Leyla Castro scored 10 points in that game. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com