HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 14, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team (6-7, 3-1) dropped a 48-37 defensive struggle with Ithaca College (12-2, 4-0) in an Empire 8 showdown on Saturday afternoon. The contest featured two teams with unblemished conference records and was a rematch of last season's conference title game that was won by the Ducks on the Bombers' home floor.

Senior classmates Jillian Barrett (Philadelphia, Pa.), Dawn Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Victoria Webber (Silver Spring, Md.) led the Ducks with nine points apiece. Barrett pulled down 12 boards as well to increase her team-leading total to 10.4 rebounds per game. Avis Benjamin (Queens, N.Y.) was right there with the leaders with her seven points.

Stevens started out with the early lead, highlighted by sophomore Molly Spadaro (Sewell, N.J.) who ripped the twine with a three ball to break an early tie and give the hosts a three-point cushion with 14 minutes left in the first. The Ducks continued to hold the advantage until the seven-minute mark, but once Ithaca gained the lead, they never again lost it.

The Bombers ended the first half on an 11-1 run, going up 25-15 at the break. Neither team shot well in this latter half of their back-to-back conference schedule, with the sides combining to shoot just 31 percent from the floor. Ithaca went just 6-of-16 from the line to boot.

Jessica Farley (South Dayton, N.Y.) and Mary Kate Tierney (Rochester, N.Y.) led the Bombers with 10 points each, the only players in the game in double figures. Seven Ithaca players tallied at least four points, however, in the visitor's balanced scoresheet.

The Ducks will extend their season-long homestand on Tuesday in a date with New Jersey rival Montclair State University. That game is set for a 7 p.m. start.

Remember to "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StevensAthletics. Follow us on twitter @stevensducks or www.twitter.com/StevensDucks.