HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 4, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team dropped a 63-52 decision to Rhode Island College (7-2) on Wednesday night in the team's last action before the start of Empire 8 play. The Ducks (3-6) had three players in double figures and closed within one point with five minutes remaining, but ultimately could not get in front of Rhode Island. Seniors Dawn Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jillian Barrett (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Victoria Webber (Silver Spring Md.) led the Stevens attack with 17, 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Anchorwomen scored 15 of the game's final 20 points to pull away as Stevens was forced to foul in an attempt to lengthen the game. Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, R.I.) paced the visitors with 24 points, while Rachel Riley (Coventry, R.I.) added 16 and reached the career 1,000-point mark with her first basket of the evening.
With Stevens trailing by one halfway through the first half, Webber hit a three pointer to give the Ducks the lead. On the ensuing possession, Garcia stole the ball and set Barrett up for a lay-in that made it 17-13 Stevens. Rhode Island would go on to score the next seven points, however, and never gave up the lead after that.
Stevens kept it close throughout, trailing by three at the break and staying within striking distance until the final minutes. Webber twice pulled the Ducks within one during the second half, but the team could not get over the final hurdle.
Barrett earned her sixth-consecutive double-double with 13 rebounds to compliment her 13 points…Stevens led in second-chance points by a count of 21-6…RIC scored 16 points off of 22 Stevens turnovers…perfectly consistent, Stevens scored 26 points in both halves.
The Ducks will open Empire 8 play at Alfred University on Friday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
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