ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Senior forward Eric Stanley (New York, N.Y./Solebury Prep) scored a game-high 20 points, but the Stevens Institute of Technology men’s basketball team dropped a 78-66 decision to host Muhlenberg on Friday night at the Scotty Wood Tournament.

The game was the season opener for both teams.

A layup by Stanley with 7:57 left in the second half tied the game at 59-59, but Muhlenberg surged ahead with six points in less than a minute.  Forward Anthony Strachan broke the tie with two free throws at the 7:42 mark.  Ryan Bonda connected on a short jumper and Strachan added another basket with 7:04 left to give the Mules a 65-59 lead.  The Ducks were within four points (67-63) on a jumper by freshman guard Ryan Kander (Belle Harbor, N.Y./Xaverian) with 5:49 remaining.  But Muhlenberg put the game away with nine straight points over the next four minutes.  Four different players contributed to the run.

Stevens trailed by as many as 16 points – 33-27 – with 6:35 left in the first half.  Stanley scored seven points in the last four minutes of the half as the Ducks trimmed the deficit to 40-30 at halftime.  Stevens then used a 21-11 run at the start of the second half to tie the game at 51-51 with 13:16 left.  Senior guard Nik Rao (Franklin Park, N.J./Rutgers Prep) had three 3-pointers and then tied the game with a 15-foot jumper.

Stevens was never able to take the lead in the second half.  The game was tied at 53-53 with 12:38 remaining, and again at 59-59 before Muhlenberg took control.

Rao finished with 16 points while Kander and Almonte contributed 10 points each for the Ducks.  Strachan led four Muhlenberg players in double figures with 17 points.

Stevens will play the College of Staten Island in the consolation game on Saturday, November 23, at 3 p.m.  Muhlenberg plays Richard Stockton for the championship at 8 p.m.