OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball grabbed an immense early lead before the game transitioned to a back-and-forth contest that ended in a win by the Eastern University Eagles on Wednesday evening to begin 2024 conference play. The game finished in a tight final score of 58-55.
 
With a promising start in the opening quarter, the Mustangs managed nine points before the first opportunity from the Eagles. Stevenson junior guard Emori Jeselskis got the team on the board first, followed by two from first-year center Amanda Nawankwo and a three pointer from sophomore forward Tessa Boswell. Though the Eagles managed to get six points, the Mustangs maintained their lead with one more three-pointer from first-year guard Elia Richardson with 2:49 remaining. The quarter ended with the Mustangs on top, 14-8.
 
The Eagles quickly closed the gap with a three pointer in the first 40 seconds of the second quarter. Keeping them at bay, the Mustangs answered at 7:32, maintaining a five-point lead thanks to Jeselskis. The first tie of the evening came just under a minute later. With  5:30 on the clock, sophomore guard Erin Dixon broke the tie  before the Eagles brought it back to 18-18. With 3:45 left, a free throw series from Richardson and attempts from Jeselskis and sophomore forward Sanaa Thorne in the seconds to follow gave the Mustangs a seven-point lead. The late quarter effort brought the Eagles to a one point 25-24 lead at the half.
 
The Mustangs saw four ties in the third quarter, but were determined to maintain the lead. Free throws with 3:53 remaining put the Eagles ahead, but the Mustangs managed a 33-33 tie to answer. The Eagles took the lead again off a foul, but a determined Dixon tied it back up 35-35. Keeping the Eagles at bay once more, the Mustangs sank an end-of-quarter buzzer beater with Dixon netting a three to end on top, 38-36.
 
Jeselskis broadened the gap to open the fourth quarter with two three- pointers. The Mustangs were unable to hit the net in the minutes to follow, and the Eagles brought themselves up to a 44-44 tie with 3:53 remaining. Boswell and junior forward Stephenae Lawrence broke two ties on free throws in efforts to keep the lead, but the opportunities fell short.  Despite three successful free-throw series to follow, the Mustangs ended the contest short, 58-55.
 
Jeselskis ended the evening with 16 points and seven rebounds, going 2-8 on the three and 6-16 on field goals. Richardson backed her with 12 points and made all nine free throw opportunities. On defense, Tessa Boswell had five rebounds and five points.
 
The Mustangs hit the road this Saturday, Jan. 6 as they move deeper into conference play against the Widener University Pride for a 1 p.m. tipoff.