HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 20, 2009) – Senior tri-captains Anthony Passalacqua and Virgil Gray combined for 32 points as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team evened its conference record at 3-3 with a 60-52 win over Hartwick College on Tuesday evening in Hoboken, N.J. at the Canavan Arena. Stevens has now won three-straight Empire 8 games. The Ducks were able to shoot 52.4 percent from the floor in the game's final 20 minutes to help secure the victory.
For the second time in as many nights, the Ducks (10-5 overall, 3-3 Empire 8) jumped out to a big early lead. On this night it was Passalacqua who keyed Stevens early, drilling two from long range in the game's first 5:14. The second gave Stevens a 14-3 lead. Freshman Michael Cutri hit a three a little more than two minutes later to give Stevens its biggest lead of the game at 17-4.
Over the next six-plus minutes, the Ducks were able to maintain a solid double-digit advantage, but Hartwick (7-7 overall, 1-5 Empire 8) refused to go quietly. The Hawks hung around and were able to go in the locker room down 28-19. Hartwick only converted six field-goal attempts in the first 20 minutes but hit seven of its 13 free throws.
The Hawks came out strong in the second half, going on a 13-0 run in just 3:18 as Mark Blazek (Erie, Pa.) scored five points in the spurt.
With the Hawks holding a 32-29 lead with 15:37 to go, Passalacqua was able to hit one of two technical free throws to slow the momentum, and Gray then converted a dunk after a steal to ignite the crowd and tie the game. The two teams went back and forth for the next five minutes before Stevens was able to build a 54-39 lead with a 14-0 explosion that came out of the nowhere. The run started and ended with Gray who had seven of the 14 points on three jumpers and a free throw.
Hartwick was able to come back and get the lead down to seven on several occasions with some strong full-court pressure, but Stevens was able to hold on for the win.
The Ducks finished the game shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 5-for-16 from three as Passalacqua made four of his seven attempts. The game could have been decided by a much larger margin if Stevens had converted at the foul line. The Ducks were 11 of 29 for the game.
In addition to Passalacqua and Gray, Stevens was led by eight points and seven rebounds from junor guard Matt Higgins. Senior guard and tri-captain Michael Baker had nine points six rebounds, and six assists, and freshman forward Simon Smith had five points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Each team turned the ball over 20 times, but Stevens won the battle on the glass for a third-straight game (39-33). The Ducks also held their opponent under 40 percent from the field for the second time in as many nights.
Stevens will return to action with the third of a seven-game home stand on Friday evening against Rochester Institute of Technology. All fans in attendance will received a free hot dog and drink courtesy of Stevens. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Canavan Arena and can also be seen live at www.Empire8.tv.
