SELINSGROVE, Pa. (Jan. 17, 2015) – Junior forward Courtney Stephens scored a career-high 21 points, but an offensively efficient second half by Susquehanna University propelled the Crusaders by the Drew University women's basketball team, 74-56, in Landmark Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Offensive efficiency was the name of Stephens' game on Saturday as she dropped in 10-of-13 shots from the floor for her career-best point output. Stephens added five rebounds and a steal in 37 minutes of work. Sophomore guard Hannah Miller netted 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, while senior point guard Breana Wilson passed out six assists and scored 10 points for the Rangers (8-8, 3-5).
 
Susquehanna (12-3, 6-1) surged out to a 13-point lead as early as seven minutes into the game with a 12-0 run, which was ended by a three-pointer from Wilson as Susquehanna led 15-2. The Rangers began to battle back as Stephens went toe-to-toe with the Crusaders' defense in the paint. On three possessions, Stephens answered a Crusader basket with one of her own to prevent the home squad from getting out to a big lead, however Susquehanna led 12 with two minutes left in the half.
 
Drew took the momentum into halftime with a 10-2 run to close out the final 1:49 of the first half. Miller started the barrage with a three before Stephens made two more of her patented high-percentage and hard-earned layups in the paint. Sophomore guard Courtney Trzasko buried a triple with 10 seconds left and Drew trailed just 32-28 at the intermission.
 
The Rangers got even closer at the start of the second half as sophomore forward Ryan Jackson hit a jumper off a nice pass from Wilson to cut the lead to 32-30. Susquehanna responded with three-pointer on their next possession and stretched the lead back to seven despite Stephens continuing her dominating presence in the paint.
 
Another Miller three-pointer and a made Stephens free throw drew the Rangers closer at 43-40 with 13:51 to play. Again, the Crusaders had the answer and another three-pointer sparked an 8-0 run. Another scoring spurt (15-3) spanning six minutes gave Susquehanna its largest lead of the afternoon at 66-47 and the home side would coast home from there.
 
Drew shot well from the floor with a 43-percent mark and making 6-of-13 well-timed shots from beyond the arc. The Rangers were one-upped on Saturday as the Crusaders shot 48 percent as a team and drained seven 3-pointers while making 7-of-9 from the free throw line. The big advantage for Susquehanna came in the rebounding battle as the Crusaders finished the game with a 40-27 edge on the glass.
 
Drew will continue non-conference play on Monday in Baldwin Gymnasium, where Arcadia University makes the trip for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.