The Stevens Ducks survived a late run by the Old Westbury Panthers to take this afternoon's Skyline Conference women's basketball game 51-45. Old Westbury falls to 10-7 overall and 4-4 in the league, while Stevens improves to 11-7 and 6-3 in the Conference.
After trailing by 13 with three minutes to play, the Old Westbury Panthers used a 7-0 run, capped by two free throws by Jennifer Hoyt with 53 seconds on the clock, to cut the lead to two. Stevens' Jean Matusiak sank two free throws on the next play, but Janera Johnson answered with a jumper for Old Westbury, keeping it a two point game with 37 seconds remaining.
Matusiak sank two more on the ensuing play, and the Panthers regained possession with 23 seconds to go. The Panthers were unable to convert on a three-point attempt and were forced to foul with nine seconds remaining. Rebecca Baldyga hit one-of-two for Stevens, sealing the win for the Ducks.
Old Westbury opened the game with a 13-2 run, sparked in large part by Monique Midy's six points. Kelsea Wilk's free throw on the following play sparked a reversal in the game, as the Ducks outscored Old Westbury 13-2 over the next nine minutes and tied the game at 15 with 1:19 to play in the half.
Candyce Payton's jumper ended the streak, but Jean Matusiak's lay-up with nine seconds knotted the game at 17 as the two teams headed into the locker room.
Johnson led Old Westbury in the low-scoring game with 10 points, Midy added nine. Dani Dudek, Dora Enright and Jenna Gambino each finished with 10 for Stevens. Enright added 10 rebounds in the win.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, January 31 at Farmingdale State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.