WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Despite a dominant performance from Chu Crockett, who notched her sixth double-double of the season with a career-best 30 points and 15 rebounds, Stephens fell in a tightly contested 69-72 loss to Williams Baptist on Saturday afternoon.

Crockett's 30-point, 15-rebound outing marked her highest-scoring and rebounding game in her collegiate career, bringing her total career points to 1,541 (582 at Stephens). LaiJanique Perry-Ellis also reached a career milestone, now standing at 1,515 career points (362 at Stephens). 

Stephens (13-8, 10-5 AMC) started slow but found a rhythm in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-18 after the first, Syderah Farmer connected on a three-pointer, followed by back-to-back layups from Crockett to trim the deficit. A deep three by Taylor Norris helped the Stars outscore Williams Baptist 16-13 in the period, cutting the halftime margin to 30-31.

The third quarter saw an offensive explosion from the Stars, who shot an efficient 83.3% from the field.

Crockett continued her dominance inside, while Norris and Perry-Ellis fueled a 24-point quarter that gave Stephens a 54-49 advantage heading into the final period.

Williams Baptist responded in the fourth, taking back the lead with timely three-pointers and clutch free throws. A late layup from Crockett brought Stephens within one at 69-70, but Williams Baptist sealed the game at the line in the closing seconds.

Norris finished with 11 points and three assists, while Perry-Ellis contributed 12 points and four assists.

Up next, the Stars return to Silverthorne Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6, to host Harris-Stowe State in a night dedicated to girls and women in sports in partnership with WIN for Columbia. Fans can register at winforcolumbia.com for free admission and receive a Stars souvenir cup with popcorn. Come support Crockett and Perry-Ellis as they continue to etch their names in collegiate basketball history.