Hoboken, NJ – The Montclair State University women's basketball team fell 65-59 to in-state rival Stevens on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Ducks held Montclair scoreless for nearly four minutes in the first quarter, opening up a double-digit lead. MEGAN DUFFY stopped the scoreless drought as she knocked out a three-pointer with 38 ticks left, as Stevens took an eight-point lead into the second.
• The gap grew to 15 in the second period, but Montclair was able to rattle off the final four markers to trail by 11 entering the half. Newcomer TIFFANY SOSA had three of the four points during the final spurt.
• SHANNON HUGHES drained a three to open the third to trim the margin to single digits, but the hosts got it back to 11 on a free throw with 2:31 left in the frame. Hughes netted the last five markers of the quarter, including a layup with 1:04 to go to make the score 49-43 after three.
• The Red Hawks capped off their 9-0 run that spanned the third and fourth with a KENDALL HODGES jumper, getting to within one. Stevens reeled off the following nine points, extending the gap to 10. Montclair could only get within five the rest of the way, as Stevens hit free throws down the stretch to keep Montclair at bay. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Duffy narrowly missed a double-double, going for a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds.
• Orlando scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, adding 13 points and two triples.
• Hughes matched Orlando and added 13 points.

FROM THE COURT
"Really proud of our team effort today. Stevens is a really physical and skilled team. I thought we really competed. Great step forward for our program. Excited to continue our work as we face NJCU on Tuesday." - Head Coach Karin Harvey. 

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks open their New Jersey Athletic Conference slate on Tuesday as they host New Jersey City University at 5:30 pm inside the Panzer Athletic Center.