HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 1, 2014) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's basketball team improved to 13-7 overall and 6-4 in the Empire 8 Conference with a 58-46 home victory over Nazareth College on Saturday evening in Canavan Arena.

With the win, Stevens is now in sole possession of fourth place in the Empire 8 with five games remaining, four in conference, on its schedule. Nazareth falls to 7-12, 2-7 in the conference.

The Ducks capitalized in the contest with a distinct edge in rebounding, 48-28, including 21 on the offensive end. The rebounding margin equated to 17 more shots and eight made baskets for Stevens, who have grabbed 45 or more boards in 10 games this season.

Stevens led for 15 minutes of the first half and were up by as many as 11 points, 24-13, in the opening stanza with 6:31 left on the clock. Sophomore Miranda Ripken (Fallston, Md.) tallied seven of her game-high-tying 15 points in the first half on 3-for-5 shooting. Ripken finished the matchup with three assists, three rebounds and two steals, while shooting 6-for-11 overall.

In the second half, Nazareth opened up on a 6-0 run over the first 2:26 to take a 33-31 lead. After deadlocks at 33-33 and 35-35, the Golden Flyers went back up by three, 38-35, with 12:20 to go in regulation. On the next trip down the floor, Stevens showed its dominance on the boards with three offensive rebounds and burned 1:27 off the clock which led to a bucket from sophomore Kaitlyn Astel (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Astel recorded 10 points with eight rebounds (five offensive) and three assists on the evening.

Nazareth went back up, 40-37, with 9:33 left in the game and called a timeout to regroup. The stoppage in play seemed to work in favor of the Ducks, as they came out of the huddle and went on a 14-2 run over the next 7:33 to build a 51-42 advantage with just two minutes remaining. The Ducks would ice the conference tilt away with seven made free throws in the final two minutes.

Sophomore Dylan Krause (Atlanta, Ga.) pulled down 10 rebounds to lead all players and chipped in seven points. Senior Avis Benjamin (Queens, N.Y.) added nine, five boards and three steals.

Freshman Daphne Ginn (Lawrenceville, N.J.) chipped in five points and five rebounds off the bench, while senior Molly Spadaro (Sewell, N.J.) corralled eight rebounds to go along with four points.

Nazareth's Julie Brew scored 15 points to lead the Golden Flyers and Lindsey Kelly just missed a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Stevens will be on the road for its next four games and plays at Alfred University next on February 7 at 8 p.m. The Ducks will hold their Senior Night ceremony on February 21 against Elmira College at 8 p.m.

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