St. DAVIDS, Pa. – Stevenson women's basketball traveled to Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opponent Eastern University Saturday afternoon, and after a week-long slate on the road, they returned home with a 68-65 loss against the Eagles.
 
The Mustangs scored 13 points in the opening quarter, as sophomore guard Laci Johnson scored early to create the first lead for the Mustangs. Scoring 20 points in the final period of regulation, the Mustangs tied the game four times, and the Eagles tied once, as the teams pushed for the victory. The top scorers for the Mustangs were Johnson with 19 points and senior guard Aysia Ferguson with 10 total.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Eagles initially scored seconds in with a driving layup from first year guard Jeriyah Johnson. Following a free throw series, SU's Laci Johnson made a successful pull up. Matching pace with the Eagles, the Mustangs tied the game at 7-7 with just over five minutes left, thanks to Johnson's first successful three-pointer of the afternoon. Unable to secure another lead, the Eagles finished the opening quarter behind the Mustangs, 13-12.
 
SECOND QUARTER
The Eagles secured a lead just under 30 seconds into the second period with a jump shot from Johnson. With pressure from the Eagles, the Mustangs clocked 18 shot attempts in the quarter, totaling 10 points. Senior forward Morgan DeBeary, first year forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques, and senior guard Morgan Pennick scored for the Mustangs as the clock ticked on. The Eagles scored often, notching 19 total points, leading into the end of the first half, 31-23.
 
THIRD QUARTER
Trailing by 10 points following a jumper from the Eagles seconds in, the Mustangs added 17 points in the third. The Eagles added 15 as the Mustangs worked to close the gap. Sophomore forward Stephenae Lawrence brought the Mustangs closer with a lay-up just under 6:30 left. Johnson notched another three pointer about a minute later, following a series of successful free throws from senior guard Aysia Ferguson. Johnson and Ferguson notched successful field goals seconds apart, bringing the game to 35 points. At the end of the third, first year forward Tessa Boswell sunk a three pointer, bringing the game to a 46-40 decision in favor of the Eagles.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
In the final period of regulation, the Mustangs tied the game once again about four minutes in with a layup from Jean-Jacques. The battle for the lead was on as the Eagles scored seconds later. The Mustangs tied it up again with a turnaround from Jean-Jacques. The Eagles pushed, tying again minutes later with a layup from Johnson, which the Mustangs answered.  A series of three pointers from Laci Johnson and the Eagles' Jeriyah Johnson brought the game to 60-60.
 
OVERTIME
The Mustangs tied the game twice in the overtime period with field goals from Ferguson and first year guard Erin Dixon. A series of free throws carried the Eagles to the lead by three points. The gap remained consistent as the game ended in a 68-65 decision.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs fall to 6-10 overall and 5-2 in conference play. The Eagles improve to 3-11 overall and earn their first overtime conference win of the season, 1-6 overall. The Mustangs return home on Wednesday, Jan. 18 to face Messiah College at 8 p.m., a team that is receiving votes in the national rankings. The Eagles travel to Lebanon Valley College in conference play for a Wednesday 8 p.m. tipoff.