In their third game of 2023, Stephens College Stars were still looking for their first victory. With a tough overtime loss to Missouri Baptist University and a weekend defeat away at Cottey College, Coach Bell was aiming to get this train back on track against the University of Health Science & Pharmacy in St. Louis. 

Stephens College (4-3) traveled to St. Louis to take on the conference-leading Eutectics (7-1) and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see these teams match up in the conference tournament. The Stars had a decisive game plan against UHSP that required focus, effort, and execution. Coach Bell believes his team is ready to take their explosive style of play to the next level and this was the game the Stars were going to remind everyone they are a force to be reckoned with. 

Stephens College started the game off with a smooth 3-pointer from Alayasia Douglas (10-6-4) and set a physical tone by making the Eutectics physically work for every point. The mindset for Stephens College was to not let the game get out of hand if the offense wasn't firing. Despite 20 turnovers for Stephens, the Stars played excellent defense. Their game plan was to force #5 of UHSP to shoot contested after contested shots and make others beat them. The Stars were down 11 points in the second quarter, however, they never let the game get out of hand. Heading into halftime, the score was 35-26 in UHSP's favor. 

You could see the mindset and momentum starting to change a few minutes into the third quarter. The pace and physicality of the Stars started to shine with constant switching and communication on defense. Clogging the paint, forcing turnovers, and running the wings was the goal for the second half. Coach Bell's high-tempo offense created space in the lane for attackers and open shots for his wings, as Stephens shot 8-20 from three (40%) and 25-52 from the field (48.1%). 

In the final three minutes, the Stars were able to grab their first lead of the game since it was 3-0 with a scoop lay-up from Zaraya March (17-7-2) going up 57-56. On UHSP's next possession, the Stars defensive scheme forced the Eutectics to shoot a contested three, which Arthel Massaquoi went up high for and immediately looked for the outlet pass. With twenty-five seconds to go, Zaraya March continued her aggression and earned herself a 3-point play after making the clutch lay-up. 

UHSP was still determined to make a comeback, intentionally fouling Brooke Peters and Allison Moore in the final seconds. Peters sank two, nothing but net free throws, and Moore went one of two from the charity stripe to end the game. With that, the Stars (10-4 overall, 5-3 in conference) claim their first victory of 2023. Their next game is against Central Baptist University (7-6 overall, 2-6 in conference) this Thursday night at Silverthorne Arena. 

Zaraya March - 17-7-5
Alayasia Douglas - 10-6-4
Allison Moore - 9-0-1
Brooke Peters - 8-0-2
Arthel Massaquoi - 8-5-2