HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team officially clinched a berth in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Tournament with a 54-49 win over Lebanon Valley on Wednesday night from Canavan Arena.
Stevens (18-6, 9-4) remained two games clear of Misericordia, the only team outside the top four still in contention, with one regular season game left to play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the two sides traded the first four baskets back and forth, Stevens answered a Lebanon Valley free throw that tied the game at five with a 7-2 spurt for a 12-7 lead less than five minutes in;
Leyla Castro had five early points for Stevens. The Dutchmen knotted things at 12 before an
Olivia Schubiger jumper and two
Fiona O'Boyle free throws made it 16-12 at the end of one.
The lead fluctuated between three and six through the first 3+ minutes of the second quarter before a
Dorothy Loffredo jumper and a Castro free throw pushed the margin to nine, 26-17 midway through. Castro added a jumper and Schubiger banked in a buzzer-beating turnaround, putting the Ducks up 30-22 at the half.
The Ducks were in control throughout the third quarter, holding at least a 10-point lead over the final 7:43 of the period. Lebanon Valley eventually closed to within a single point in the fourth quarter, 50-49, but did not score again over the final 2:42 while Castro iced the game hitting her final four free throw attempts.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Isabella Duval finished with nine points on a 3-for-4 clip from three-point territory after not scoring in the first meeting between the teams on January 28
- Castro finished with a team-high 17 points, including hitting 9-of-10 from the free throw line
- The frontcourt trio of O'Boyle, Audrey Kehoe, and Maya Abramson all had at least four points and four rebounds, combining for 14 points and 18 boards, to go along with four steals
UP NEXT
The Ducks will honor the Class of 2026 (Schubiger, Castro, Loffredo, Duval, Kehoe) during Senior Day on Saturday, February 21, prior to their 1:00 game against FDU-Florham..
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