Hoboken, N.J. (11/12/24) – The Kean University women's basketball team held on for a season opening win at Stevens Institute of Technology, defeating the Ducks, 68-67.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After an early see-saw battle, the Cougars pushed out to the only double-digit lead of the day late in the third quarter as Brittany Graff nailed a trey.

Kean never lost the lead the rest of the way but Stevens made things interesting down the stretch.  With just a minute and a half to go, the Ducks pulled within one (65-64) with two made free throws.

Maddison Vaughn pushed the lead out to three with a layup just under the one-minute mark.  Both teams turned over the ball late and Riley Ahrens made the backend of a two shot attempt from the charity stripe to push the advantage out to four with 17 seconds to go.  Stevens had a few chances but a traveling violation by Kean gave them one last attempt.  Stevens was able to record the three-pointer, but it wasn't enough as Kean held on.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Graff finished with a team-high 19 points with six assists.

Vaughn ended the night with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Ahrens rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11 points and six rebounds.

UP NEXT:

Kean travels to face #1 New York University on Friday evening.