Tim Williams scored a game-high 13 points in the Ducks' win.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 22, 2005) – After trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Stevens Institute of Technology men’s basketball team rallied for an impressive 60-58 non-conference victory over FDU-Florham (1-2) at Canavan Arena on Tuesday.  The Ducks (1-1) were able to pull out the win only after freshman Virgil Gray (Elmwood Park, N.J.) and junior Tim Williams (Selden, N.Y.) knocked down 2-of-4 free throw attempts in the closing seconds.  Sophomore Waleed Farid (Woodside, N.Y.) helped shut the door on FDU with a crucial steal on the Devils’ final possession.

Down by seven points (28-21) at the half, Stevens came out sluggish to begin the second period and found itself trailing 40-25 with just over 15 minutes remaining.  The Ducks promptly responded with a 15-0 spurt in the span of 2:18 to tie the game with 12:43 left to play. 

Freshman Damien Palantino (Philadelphia, Pa.) started the run with a three-pointer for Stevens.  After knocking down a pair of free throws, Gray cut the deficit to seven with a three-point play setup by a nice pass from freshman Joseph Amelio (Bronx, N.Y.).  Palantino and sophomore Joseph Ayodele (Tempe, Ariz.) followed with back-to-back jumpers as the Devils’ lead dwindled to three points.  Shortly after checking back into the game, Farid knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing to tie the score at 40 points apiece.

With just over one minute remaining in the game and the Ducks clinging to a four-point lead, FDU put together a quick 4-0 burst to tie the score at 58-58.  Juniors Pierre Schmitt (Park Ridge, N.J.) and Franke Emslie (Hazlet, N.J.) drained a pair of free throws apiece in that run.

Then, as the shot clock was running down, Gray penetrated into the lane where he was fouled with 14 seconds remaining.  Gray made the first free throw but missed the second.  Williams grabbed a big offensive rebound and was immediately fouled.  Williams went to the line and made 1-of-2 free throws.  On the ensuing Devils’ possession, Farid came up with a steal along the end-line with only 0.4 seconds remaining.

Williams had a strong all-around game for Stevens as he finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots.  Gray added 11 points.  Senior Isaac Moore (Phoenix, Ariz.) finished with 10 points and three steals.  Farid chipped in with five points, seven rebounds, and two steals.  Ayodele had eight points, four rebounds, and three steals off the bench for the Ducks.

FDU was led by junior Cody Chalmers (Middletown, N.J.) and Schmitt, who totaled 10 points apiece.  Senior Matt Cushing (Ocean, N.J.) and Emslie added nine points apiece.

Stevens, which suffered an 86-66 loss to the Devils last season, was able to pick up its first win of the year despite shooting 2-for-16 from behind the arc.  The Ducks also survived a 10-for-23 showing at the foul line thanks to 27 turnovers by FDU.

Stevens will be back in action on Monday when the Ducks travel to Yeshiva University for an 8 p.m. tip-off.