Hoboken, NY – The Utica College women's basketball team defeated Stevens on Tuesday, with a final score of 48-39. The Pioneers win their first Empire 8 contest of the season, improving to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
 
The Pioneers held a slight edge early in the game, leading Stevens 8-5 at the end of the first quarter. Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) scored six points for UC in the opening period. The Ducks came back in the second with a 10-2 run in 3:33, to take a 15-12 lead with just 3:48 remaining before halftime. UC entered the locker rooms trailing, 17-15, at the break.
 
The two teams went back and forth throughout the third quarter, as the score was tied 29-29 with three minutes left before the final quarter. A late 3-point basket by Stevens' Maddi Hahn gave the Ducks a 33-32 lead, heading into the fourth. UC went on an 8-2 run in just 2:28, to take a 42-39 lead with around five minutes left in regulation. The Pioneers did not allow a single basket in the final 5:30 of the contest, to secure the nine-point victory on the road.
 
Ashelyne Babb (Lynn, MA/Winthrop) led Utica in scoring with 13 points, as well as grabbing nine rebounds. Ashley Mayo (Bronx, NY/Nanuet) finished with 12 points and five boards. Briannah Florian (Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain) snagged 11 rebounds for the team and scored four points. This was UC's first win over Stevens, since the 2012-13 season. 
 
Megan Brown notched a double-double for Stevens, tallying 16 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The Ducks fall to 6-6 overall this season and are 3-1 in Empire 8 competition.
 
The Pioneers will be back at home Thursday for more E8 hoops action, as they host Hartwick. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.