MADISON, N.J. (December 3, 2008) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team used a big first half en route to a 72-58 win over Drew University on Wednesday night at Baldwin Gymnasium in Madison, N.J. Senior guard Virgil Gray led Stevens with 20 points, five steals, and two blocks as the Ducks bounced back nicely from their only loss of the season on Sunday. Stevens held a 42-23 halftime edge after shooting 50 percent from the floor and 5-for-10 from long range in the first 20 minutes. Junior guard Matt Higgins recorded his second-straight double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.

Up 24-17, the Ducks (6-1) used an 18-6 run to close out the first half and build a comfortable margin. Gray had six points in the run and freshman Justin Sanchez drilled a three to beat the buzzer.

In the second half, the Ducks held a 55-37 lead with 12:11 to go before Drew went on a furious, 21-6 run to cut the lead the Stevens lead to three with 3:18 left in the game. However, junior forward Ian Masone hit a layup, and senior guard Anthony Passalacqua followed with a triple to extend the lead to eight with 2:07 remaining.

Leading 66-58 after Passalacqua's three, Stevens went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line in the final moments to seal the victory and close the game on an 11-0 run.

In addition to Higgins and Gray, Passalacqua scored 17 points, with 15 coming from long range. Senior guard Michael Baker had two points, six boards, and six assists and freshman forward Simon Smith scored just one point but pulled down eight boards.

Stevens ended the game shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from the line. The Ducks had 16 turnovers and a season-low nine assists.

After shooting just 9-for-29 in the first half, Drew shot 52 percent in the second as the Rangers made nine second-half threes. Sophomore guard Kyle Joyce (Hanover, Mass.) led the Rangers (1-4) with 21 points, on 7-for-11 from deep.

Stevens returns to the court on Saturday afternoon when it hosts New York University in the final Duck Country contest of the semester at Stevens. All fans are encouraged to wear black as tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.