CHESTERTOWN, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball had an early lead before the Washington College of Maryland Shorewomen earned the 65-56 win.
 
The Mustangs got on the board early with a fastbreak layup from first-year guard Elia Richardson. Shortly after, the Shorewomen tied and took an early lead on two shots. SU sophomore forward Tessa Boswell marked her first of six three-pointers at 7:47. Despite this effort, the Shorewomen maintained a lead, with the Mustangs getting within one point at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a three-pointer from first-year guard Amoni Taylor.
 
Boswell opened the second period with her second three-pointer, giving the Mustangs an 18-16 lead.  While the Shorewomen took the lead again off four free throws, the Mustangs tied the game again with free throws. Boswell made two back-to-back three pointers in less than a minute, creating a six-point lead for the Mustangs. Taylor added more points for the Mustangs, and the team went into the half tied with the Shorewomen, 29-29.
 
The second half opening proved challenging, as the Mustangs allowed four shots from the Shorewomen. The Mustangs' first-year center Amanda Nwankwo managed a jumper at 5:36, and Boswell added a three-pointer with 2:37 remaining. Two more shots followed for the Mustangs, but the third period ended with Stevenson behind 49-39.
 
Boswell once again brought early action in the fourth period with a layup just under 20 seconds into play and another with just over eight minutes on the clock. Although the Shorewomen pushed the lead to 12 points, the Mustangs answered with a layup from Richardson following a successful free throw series. Richardson went on to notch a three pointer, bringing the Mustangs to 50 points. With under five minutes to play, first-year Mustang forward Janie Smith contributed a three, and Boswell pushed once more to add her last three pointer in the final two minutes. The game ended with a 65-56 decision in favor of the host Shorewomen.
 
Now in her second season, this is the most points Boswell has scored thus far, with 22 points, a steal, and three rebounds. Richardson backed her with 11 points and two rebounds. Leading in rebounds was sophomore forward Destiny Towns, who added eight. Nwankwo had seven rebounds, two blocks, and six points. Smith rounded out the key performers with three steals.
 
The Mustangs finally return home as they take on No. 3 Christopher Newport in Owings Mills gymnasium Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m.