CHESTER, Pa.- Senior Stephanie Martinez totaled five three-pointers and a season-high 23 points as the women's basketball team fell to Widener, 65-59 on Saturday at the Schwartz Athletic Center.
Four different players scored as Stevenson (3-4, 1-2 MAC Commonwealth) jumped out to an early 11-3 lead to start the game. The two teams exchanged baskets, before Martinez connected on a shot from behind the arc, pushing Stevenson's lead back to eight, 15-7. After another bucket from Martinez and three points from the Pride, the Mustangs held a 17-10 advantage at the end of the first.
Widener (7-1, 2-0 MAC Commonwealth) chipped away, tied the score, and took their first lead of the game off of a pair of free throws from Emily Hardy with 4:18 left in the half. The Pride held Stevenson scoreless for the next 2:40 of play while totaling six points, all off of free throws. A layup by freshman Jonyae Curry broke the drought, but Widener's Allison Gallagher hit a three-pointer in the final seconds of the half to put the hosts up 34-26.
In the first half, Widener went 13-21 from the free throw line while the Mustangs finished 1-4.
Stevenson opened up the second half on an 11-4 run, cutting the deficit to one point, 38-37. The run was highlighted by layups from junior Sara Tarbert and senior Caitlin Roy, as well as another Martinez three-pointer.
The hosts responded with a 14-3 run to end the quarter, giving them a 52-40 advantage.
Stevenson chipped away at the Pride lead, and pulled within three, 59-56, with 2:18 to play on a Roy basket. Widener sealed the victory by going 6-8 at the free throw line over the final 1:46 With five three-pointers on the day, Martinez is now two three-pointers shy of breaking the program record for career three-pointers.
Martinez, who is now two three-pointers shy of breaking the program's career mark at 141, also added four rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Her 23 points were her most in a game since scoring 26 points in back-to-back games as a freshman. Tarbert recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Widener finished the game 22-34 from the line, while the Mustangs went 5-15. The Pride also outrebounded Stevenson 44-38.
Stevenson returns to action on December 30th when they travel to Virginia Wesleyan for a non-conference matchup, beginning at 7:30 p.m.