ANNVILLE, Pa.- Senior Sara Tarbert recorded her seventh double-double on the season as the Stevenson women's basketball team downed Lebanon Valley, 55-49, on Wednesday at Sorrentino Gymnasium in MAC Commonwealth action. Tarbert totaled 24 points, including two three pointers, and a season-high 17 rebounds in the game.
Tarbert had a huge block on the Dutchmen's first possession of the third period as it sparked 12-0 run for the Mustangs (5-2, 2-1 MAC Commonwealth) to extend a 25-15 halftime lead to 37-15 with just under six minutes to go in the frame. The run was highlighted by three pointers from Tarbert and freshman Hannah Crist, both their second of the game. Crist has totaled at least two three pointers in four of the last five games.
Lebanon Valley (4-4, 2-1 MAC Commonwealth) slowly chipped away at the Mustangs lead and cut its deficit to 44-33 to start of the final period. The hosts continued their momentum as they cut the lead to just six points, 51-45, after back to back buckets from Jennifer Eck with 46 seconds remaining in the game. Forced to foul, Lebanon Valley sent the Mustangs to the free throw line, where they went on 4-6 in the final seconds to seal the win.
Four different Mustangs scored as Stevenson jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first 4:21 of play. After three and half scoreless minutes, Lebanon Valley was able to stop the drought, but junior Kaitlyn VanTash responded immediately with a layup on the other end. The Dutchmen added one more bucket in the period, but the guests held onto an 11-6 lead.
The Dutchmen struck first in the second period as they cut the score to just one point, but a contested basket in the paint from junior Imani Sanderskept the Mustangs in control. Tarbert added a three pointer and Crist hit a jumper as Stevenson extended its lead to 18-12 with 4:55 remaining in the half. Following another scoring drought of almost two and a half minutes, Stevenson closed the period on a 7-3 run. The Mustangs held a 25-15 advantage entering the break.
In the first half, Stevenson shot 45.8 percent from the floor while holding Lebanon Valley to just 22.6 percent. The hosts held a 16-14 advantage on the boards.
Stevenson finished the game shooting 44.9 percent from the floor compared to 29.2 percent for Lebanon Valley. The Dutchmen finished with a 43-32 advantage in total rebounds. The Mustangs improved to 5-0 this season when outshooting their opponent and 4-0 when limiting foes to under 40% from the floor.
Tarbert led all scorers and rebounders while also adding three steals as she posted her eighth straight double-double dating back to last season. Tarbert has also reached double figures in scoring in 13 consecutive contests. Crist and Sanders finished with eight points apiece, while Sanders also added three assists. VanTash totaled seven points and six rebounds.
The Mustangs return to action when they host Arcadia on Saturday, December 10th beginning at 4:00 p.m.
