Box Score Kings Point, N.Y. (February 19, 2014) – The Drew University women's basketball team (13-11, 6-7) kept playoff hopes alive tonight with a, 53-40 road victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy (4-19, 0-13). The Rangers currently sit in a two-way tie for the final spot in the Landmark Conference playoffs.

Sophomore Courtney Stephens (Pikesville, Md./Gerstell Academy) led the Ranger offense tying her career-high with 19 points. In 40 minutes of action, the Drew forward also recorded her third double-double of the season grabbing 12 rebounds for the Rangers in the victory.

The Rangers got the scoring rolling just 50 seconds into the game on a made lay-up from freshman Hannah Miller (Rumson, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven). Drew would go on a 10-1 run to take an 11-1 lead with 11:32 left to play in the first half. A jumper from Stephens at the 4:52 mark gave the Rangers a 22-8 advantage and their largest lead of the half (14). Drew took a 26-16 lead into the half behind 17 points from Stephens.

The Mariners opened the half on an 11-5 run cutting the Ranger lead to just five, 32-27 with 14:55 left to play in the game but that would be as close as they would get. The Ranger offense proved to be too much for the Mariners to control as the team shot 38 percent from the field in the second half.

Merchant Marine was led by their team's leading scorer Demi Vander Wal who scored 17 points for the Mariners in defeat. Kristina Walz added 10 points and nine rebounds for Merchant Marine in 33 minutes of action.

Miller ended the game scoring 10 points in 33 minutes. Sophomore Erin Howard (Tolland, Conn./East Catholic) scored seven points and blocked two shots for the Rangers in 20 minutes of action off-the-bench.

The Rangers host conference foe Juniata on Saturday February 22 at 4:00 p.m. in Baldwin Gym. With both teams at 6-7 in conference play they're tied for the final spot in the playoff picture. The winner of the game will hold the fourth spot in the league and will take the final spot in the Landmark Conference playoffs.