OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball (7-14, 6-6) faced a determined Widener University Pride (7-13, 4-7) in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play Wednesday evening in Owings Mills Gymnasium, with the Mustangs holding the lead for the first half. However, an ensuing back-and-forth contest near the end of the third quarter turned the tide.
 
Sophomore guard Laci Johnson remained consistent in the offense, scoring 11 points and recording two steals and two rebounds. Sophomore guard Emori Jeselskis followed, notching 10 points, and topping the team with eight rebounds. Three other Mustangs scored over five points on the evening: senior guard Morgan Pennick, first year forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques, and sophomore forward Stephenae Lawrence.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Mustangs tied the game early, answering the Pride's quick lead with a basket from Jeselskis, tying the game for the first time. Johnson secured the early lead seconds later with a three-pointer, her first of three on the evening. The Mustangs widened the gap as the clock ticked on. With 5:38 remaining, the Pride got closer with a three- pointer. Temporarily losing the lead, the Mustangs bounced back 11-10 with 3:27 left on a layup from Pennick. Going on to score eight more points, the Mustangs ended the opening quarter on top, 19-12.
 
SECOND QUARTER
With a secure lead, the Mustangs scored just under two minutes in with a layup from Jean-Jacques, bringing the score to 21-13. A series of free throws widened the gap for the Mustangs by eight points. While the Pride scored nine more points to round out the second half, the Mustangs found their consistency, and scored eleven more points, ending the first half with a ten-point lead, 32-22.
 
THIRD QUARTER
After the break, the Pride scored successfully on eight chances, two of which were three- pointers. The gap closed to a one-point game. Another three- pointer from the Pride gave them the lead for the first time on the night. With just over a minute remaining, the Mustangs needed to search for opportunity, and found it with 15 seconds remaining. First year forward Tessa Boswell sunk a three-pointer, giving the Mustangs the lead again before the Pride answered back. The quarter ended 44-42 in the Pride's favor.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Widener opened the final quarter with a quick three-pointer, but a successful series of shots from Jeselskis and Pennick brought the game to a one-point margin once again. The Pride tied off a free throw with 7:57 remaining. The Mustangs tied the game again at 49-49 with a layup from senior forward Maleah Smith. A free throw series from both teams resulted in another tie at 50-50. The Pride brought the game to 54-50 following a layup and two free throws, while Johnson answered with a three-pointer with less than a minute remaining. Another free throw from the Pride brought the game to the two-point 55-53 decision, despite some final Mustang efforts as the seconds ticked off.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs fall to 7-14 overall and are 6-6 in conference play. The Pride improved to 7-13 overall and 4-7 in conference play. The Mustangs take a break this weekend and return home next Wednesday, Feb. 8 when they host conference opponent York College of Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. in Owings Mills gymnasium. The Pride host Eastern University in conference play on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. in Schwartz Center.