GLENSIDE, Pa. - Stevenson University shot a blistering 79.2% over the final 20 minutes and a program record 59.3% for the game as it defeated Arcadia University 75-57 in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball Saturday at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Mustangs (12-6, 7-2 MAC Commonwealth) outscored Arcadia (6-12, 2-6 MAC Commonwealth) 24-10 in the final quarter as it made 10 of its 12 field goal attempts and went 4-4 at the free throw line.  The Mustangs went 19-24 from the floor in the second half and 32-54 for the game, with the 59.3% shooting percentage eclipsing the previous program record of 55.9% set earlier this season at Widener.

Leading 51-47 at the start of the fourth quarter, junior Kaitlyn VanTash scored an old fashioned three pointer to extend Stevenson's lead.  The Knights were able to cut their deficit to four points twice, the last coming with 8:14 to play, but Stevenson (12-6, 7-2 MAC Commonwealth) had six different players record points as they pulled away from Arcadia for its sixth straight victory.  

VanTash and sophomore Jonyae Curry led the Mustangs as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead just under two and a half minutes into play.  Four straight points from Arcadia's Maureen Fiocca made it a one possession game, but Stevenson maintained control and stretched its lead to 14-6.

Just over halfway through the period, Courtney Hoffman hit a three pointer that sparked a run for the hosts.  Arcadia scored eight straight, including two three pointers, to lock the game at 14.  A steal that led to a foul and made free throw by Curry took back the lead for the Mustangs, but the Knights stayed aggressive.  Stevenson extended its lead to as much as 20-15, but Arcadia hit three free throws in the final 30 seconds of the quarter to make it a two point game to start the second.

Senior Sara Tarbert hit her second shot from behind the arc just under one minute into the second period to stretch the guests' lead to 23-18 before the hosts scored five straight to tie the game again. After one and half scoreless minutes, a steal and layup from Tarbert shifted the lead back to the Mustangs.  

The teams traded baskets and tied the score twice more, but a layup from Sydney Cyr with just under three minutes remaining in the half gave the hosts their first lead of the day, 30-28.  Stevenson was able to force two more ties in the period, but neither team could convert in the final minute as they enter haltime locked, 32-32.

The first half featured five ties and two lead changes.  Arcadia shot 45.8 percent from the floor compared to 43.3 percent for the Mustangs.  Not only was the score locked, but each of the teams shot 25 percent from the three point line and grabbed 16 rebounds.  Stevenson held a 12-11 advantage in forced turnovers.

The third quarter stayed tight as it featured one tie and seven lead changes.  Neither team led by more than three points until layups from junior Kristine Tennyson and freshman Bianca Elize Santos gave the Mustangs a 51-47 lead with 1:39 remaining in the period.  Stevenson had six different scorers in the quarter as they held onto a four point advantage to start the fourth.

Stevenson shot a season high 59.3 percent from the floor, while holding Arcadia to 38.5 percent.  The Mustangs led 38-20 on the boards, and the Knights led 25-20 in forced turnovers. 

Tarbert led the Mustangs with 22 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 18th double-double of the season.  Curry finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while VanTash added 14 points and four assists.  

The Mustangs return to action on Wednesday, January 25th when they host Lebanon Valley in a MAC Commonwealth contest beginning at 6 p.m.