Stevens Completes Sweep of Empire 8 Opening Weekend
ELMIRA, N.Y. (January 7, 2012) – Stevens Institute of Technology senior Jillian Barrett (Philadelphia, Pa.) dominated both ends of the floor as the Stevens women’s basketball team topped Elmira College 76-59 in Upstate New York on Saturday. Barrett led all players with 21 points and 14 rebounds, while classmate Dawn Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit three three-pointers and matched her single game career-high with 19 points. With the victory, the Ducks now move to 2-0 in the Empire 8.
Once again, it was the Duck defense leading the way, holding the Soaring Eagles to just 35 percent shooting for the contest. Stevens also forced Elmira to chuck up many shots from long range, as the hosts attempted a whopping 26 three-pointers while only connecting on six of them. The Ducks attempted half that many and made seven.
Stevens again had a good start, scoring 11 of the game’s first 14 points, including an 8-0 run. Elmira gained the lead midway through the first half 20-18, but held the advantage for less than three minutes before a traditional three-point play from Barrett tied the game and the ensuing foul shot gave the Ducks the lead for good.
The Ducks got contributions from up and down the roster, with eight players on the scoreboard. Avis Benjamin (Queens, N.Y.) was again an important cog in the offense, scoring 12 points and pulling down seven rebounds.
Barrett also tied with teammate Victoria Webber (Silver Spring, Md.) to lead all players in the game with three assists….Jessica Zoltowski (Erie, Pa.) led Elmira with 18 points…the Ducks shot 81 percent (17 of 21) from the free throw line.