READING, Pa. – Stevenson women's basketball tied the game twice in the first quarter to open conference play against the Albright Lions on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs ultimately ended short, 58-47.
 
Off an early game foul, the Lions managed to get points on the board first. The Mustangs found their own first points about three minutes into play from sophomore forward Destiny Towns. Sophomore guard Erin Dixon brought the team within two off two opportunities at 5:30 and 4:48. Sophomore forward Tessa Boswell tied the game 8-8 off a Lions' foul. First-year forward Janie Smith quickly tied it up again 10-10 at 3:19 off a jumper. With one more layup under a minute from junior guard Emori Jeselskis, the first quarter ended with the Mustangs tailing, 20-12.
 
Attempting to find their pace, Mustang first-year guard Elia Richardson sunk a three in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Boswell tightened the gap further with a layup at 8:08 remaining. Despite these chances, though, the Mustangs faltered until another three from Richardson came at 3:38, bringing the team to 20. Richardson found one more chance following a series of free throws before two more opportunities came in the final minute. Sophomore forward Sanaa Thorne sunk four points, bringing the score at the half to 32-28, with the Mustangs behind.
 
The third quarter found each team pressuring defensively. The Mustangs eventually got on the board, hitting the 30-point mark from Smith at 4:22 remaining. As the fouls racked up, sophomore forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques found one successful free throw at 3:41 remaining, bringing the score at the end of the third to 48-31.
 
Richardson found quick action in the final quarter, sinking a three in the first minute. Approaching 40 points, the Mustangs saw Jeselskis and junior forward Stephenae Lawrence adding four, while junior guard Jaidyn Harris git the team to the 40- point mark at 3:30 remaining. This was quickly followed by a layup on a fast break from Towns. A final effort came in the final 40 seconds from Richardson and a jumper from Dixon in the final second. The final score was 58-47 in favor of Albright.
 
Richardson topped the team with 15 points, recorded two blocks and went 3-8 at the three. On rebounds, Smith and Boswell each tallied nine.
 
The Mustangs make a quick return home to take on the University of Mary Washington Eagles, who recently dropped out of the top 25, on Monday, January 15 for a 4 p.m. game.