UTICA, N.Y. (December 7, 2012) -

Despite a fantastic effort from freshman Dylan Krause (Atlanta, Ga.), the Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team lost its first Empire 8 matchup of the season 59-53 on Friday night at Utica College. The Atlanta native scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead all players with an efficiency rating of 30.

Though the Ducks were down by as many as 10 points in the first half, a 10-0 run midway through the second period gave the visitors their first lead of the night. Fittingly, it was Krause who swished a jumper to tie the game at 9:04 and hit a layup a minute later to cap the run.

Unfortunately for Stevens, Utica scored the next six points and stayed ahead the rest of the way. But the scrappy comeback and poise of the freshman class speaks well for the future prospects of the season and the program.

Stevens won the battle of the boards 59-53…both teams forced exactly 18 turnovers…both Krause and Megan Petuskey (Mays Landing, N.J.) shot 50 percent from behind the arc, but were the only Ducks to hit three pointers on Friday.

The next women's basketball matchup will be Monday night at 6 p.m. at Montclair State University.

Remember to like us on facebook.com/StevensAthletics and follow us on Twitter @StevensDucks.