CHESTER, Pa. - Senior Sara Tarbert led the Mustangs with 49 points as the Stevenson women's basketball team defeated Widener, 87-78, on Saturday at the Schwartz Center.
Tarbert set a program record for points in a single game, previously held by herself at 41 in a win at Virginia Wesleyan last season. She finished 21-30 from the floor, including 2-4 behind the arc and 5-7 from the free throw line. With 16 rebounds, it was also Tarbert's sixth double-double of the season, and she added five steals and three assists. Her 49 point performance is the most by anyone in all three NCAA divisions this season.
Despite forcing turnovers on the first two Widener possessions, the Pride (2-4, 0-2 MAC Commonwealth) jumped out to a 9-2 lead over the Mustangs (4-2, 1-1 MAC Commonwealth) in the opening minutes of play. Led by Tarbert, who scored Stevenson's first 16 points of the game, the Mustangs were able to chip away at the deficit and take a 16-15 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the period.
Widener regained the lead on the next play with a three pointer from Julia Venturelli, but a layup from senior Niavanni Grant notched the game at 18. The teams traded baskets, but neither team could take control as the quarter ended in a 22-22 tie.
Venturelli hit two more three pointers in the second period to give Widener a 28-24 advantage just over a minute into play, but Stevenson responded with four straight points to lock the game yet again. The Mustangs were able to tie the score two more times in the half, the last being 34-34 with 4:13 remaining, but could not grab the lead. The hosts ended the half on a 9-4 run, holding a 43-38 advantage over Stevenson at the break.
In the first half, Stevenson shot 55.9 percent from the floor compared to 57.1 percent for Widener. Both teams totaled 12 turnovers, while the Mustangs held a 19-13 advantage in rebounds and Pride led 25-2 in points from the bench.
Sophomore Jonyae Curry hit Tarbert down low for a layup to open up the second half. The two combined for 12 points as the guests took a 46-45 lead over the hosts. The teams exchanged the lead twice, but a three pointer from junior Kaitlyn VanTash with 3:35 remaining sparked a 9-1 run for Stevenson. The hosts were able to score five points to end the period, as the Mustangs held on to a 62-59 lead.
The hosts fought to one final tie, 64-64 with just over seven minutes to play, but that was as close as they would get as another layup from Grant gave the Mustangs a lead they would not relinquish.
Stevenson finished shooting 55.9 percent from the floor, while holding Widener to 41.9 percent. Each team finished with 18 turnovers, but the Mustangs led 43-33 on the boards. The Pride totaled 34 bench points compared to 12 for Stevenson.
Curry joined Tarbert in double figures with 12 points. VanTash added seven points while freshman Hannah Crist dished out five assists.
The Mustangs return to action Wednesday, December 7th when they travel to Lebanon Valley. Game time is 6:00 p.m.