ST. DAVID'S, Pa. – Stevenson women's basketball (5-16, 1-9) were up in the first, but ultimately came up short against conference opponent Eastern University (8-12, 4-6) at The Nest on Saturday afternoon. The game ended 62-52.
 
The Mustangs managed 10 points in the first quarter before the Eagles got on the board. Sophomore forward Tessa Boswell and first-year guard Amoni Taylor each added threes to help secure the early lead. The quarter was tightly contested as the Eagles tied the game 10-10 with 1:30 remaining. Eastern ended the quarter in the lead by one point, 12-11.
 
The Mustangs wasted no time taking back the lead in the second quarter. Sophomore guard Erin Dixon and junior forward Stephenae Lawrence each added a layup in the first minute of play. The Eagles tied the game once again at 15-15 off a free throw about two minutes later. A Mustang free throw series from first-year guard Elia Richardson and a third shot from Lawrence gave the team the lead once again. The final two minutes saw another lead swap, but the Mustangs quickly recovered with Dixon on the free throw line. The Eagles tied the game at 20-20 and subsequently took a lead off free throws going into the half, 24-22.
 
 The first few seconds of the third quarter saw another tie with a jumper from Taylor. Seconds later, she added another, swapping the lead once again. Within seconds of each other, to answer another Eagles tie, Boswell added a layup. Taylor maintained the lead at the free throw line to answer a three made by the Eagles. A battle for the lead ensued as the Mustangs tied it up twice, once on free throws and again with a layup from Lawrence. Free throws kept the Mustangs in the lead by the end of the third quarter, with a 36-33 score.
 
First-year forward Janie Smith secured a three to open the final quarter despite almost two minutes without a Mustang basket. Despite the early effort, the Eagles found their groove, taking the lead off a three pointer. In the final five minutes, sophomore forward Kalea Wynter added a jumper, and two minutes later, Boswell added a three.  Dixon added two at the two-minute mark and went on to score four more points to bring the Mustangs to 50 despite the Eagles' momentum. Boswell added the last chance with two seconds remaining, bringing the final score to 62-52.
 
Dixon had her second career double-double with 10 rebounds and 16 points. Lawrence had 10 points and four rebounds and added four steals and three blocks.
 
The Mustangs return home as they take on the Hood College Blazers Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in Owings Mills gymnasium.