VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Sophomore Jonyae Curry led the Mustangs with a career high 18 points as the Stevenson women's basketball team defeated Virginia Wesleyan, 70-51, on Monday at Donald M. Forsyth Court.  The win extends Stevenson's season-high win streak to four games.

Curry went 6-11 from the floor and 6-6 from the free throw line while grabbing six rebounds.  She has totaled at least 14 points in four of her last five games and is averaging 14.4 ppg since returning from injury January 5 at Messiah. 

After Virginia Wesleyan (9-6) opened up scoring on a layup from Niasia Caldwell, the Mustangs (10-6) went on a run to take an 8-3 lead with just over six minutes to play in the first period.  The run was highlighted by four points from senior Niavanni Grant and a three pointer from Curry.  After almost two and half scoreless minutes, junior Kaitlyn VanTash hit a jumper to extend Stevenson's lead, but the Marlins were able to match it on the other end.

The hosts cut the score to just four points with 1:36 remaining in the opening quarter, but layups from junior Kristine Tennyson and sophomore Armani Duckett-Mooney gave Stevenson a 15-10 advantage entering the second.

The Marlins scored on the first two possessions of the second period and took a 7-2 run to notch the game, 17-17, just over a minute and a half into play.  The Mustangs took back the lead on a layup from junior Imani Sanders, but three straight free throws from the Marlins gave them their first lead since the opening basket of the game.  

Trailing one with just over five minutes to play in the half, Stevenson scored nine unanswered points to regain and extend its lead.  Curry totaled six points during the stretch, including a layup on the left side with the shot clock winding down.  The Mustangs allowed only two free throws the rest of the way, as they held onto a 29-23 lead at the break.

Stevenson shot 40 percent from the floor, while holding the hosts to just 27.3 percent shooting.  The teams were locked at 18 rebounds a piece, but the Mustangs led 9-6 in forced turnovers. 

The Mustang defense remained strong in the second half as it forced three turnovers while holding the hosts scoreless for over four minutes.  During the stretch, Stevenson built on its lead and made it a 38-23 game.  The Marlins broke their drought on a layup from Caldwell before cutting their deficit to 11 points, but Stevenson scored the last five points of the game to give them a 50-33 advantage at the end of the third.

A three pointer by Crystal Strother made it a 14 point game just 35 seconds into the final quarter, but that was as close as Virginia Wesleyan would get as Stevenson continued to stretch its lead throughout the period.  Senior Sara Tarbert led the Mustangs with seven points in the quarter.  

The Mustangs finished 46.3 percent from the floor, holding the Marlins to 34.5 percent.  Stevenson also held a 17-15 advantage in forced turnovers and a 39-34 advantage on the boards.

Joining Curry in double figures, Tarbert recorded her 16th straight double-double to open the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Grant added 13 points while VanTash totaled 11 points and six rebounds.

The Mustangs return to action on Wednesday, January 18th when they host MAC Commonwealth opponent, Hood, beginning at 6:00 p.m.