Box Score

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 21, 2013) – Kean University overcame a 21-point deficit with 6:01 left in the game to earn a 70-68 win over the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team Thursday night at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J.
 
Trailing 63-42 after two made free throws by sophomore guard Evan Klimchak (Readington, N.J.), the Cougars outscored Stevens 28-5 over the final six-plus minutes to earn the win. Kean was led by senior guard Ali Mix (East Orange, N.J.), senior guard Mike Burton (Irvington, N.J.) and sophomore guard Tommy Soulias (Milltown, N.J.) in the comeback in which an intense press forced Stevens (1-2) into turnovers and challenging shots.
 
Leading by seven after one half, the Ducks pushed the lead to double-digits after a made jumper by junior forward Patrick Sabatino (Westfield, N.J.) and with 14:36 left in the period, the Ducks went on a 10-1 run keyed by three-pointers from senior guard Andrew Meszaros (Phoenixville, Pa.) and sophomore forward Alex Lorenz (Point Pleasant Borough, N.J.) to open a 54-37 margin11:18 in the game.
 
The lead would move to 21 before Kean made its run to win the game, taking the lead for the first time since 17:37 remained in the first half when Burton swished a three-pointer with just 13 seconds on the clock.
 
In the final possession, Stevens was unable to get a clean look at the hoop.
 
In the first half, the Ducks were led by senior guard Phillip DeSeignora (Boston, Mass.) who poured in 13 points on the back of three three-pointers. DeSeignora finished the game with a career-high 16 points on just 10 shots in what was an excellent performance for the veteran.
 
Stevens shot 25-for-47 from the field (53.2 percent) and 7-for-17 from three. The Ducks were 11-for-17 at the line and held a 35-28 margin on the glass. Stevens assisted on 17 of its 25 made baskets but committed 21 turnovers.
 
Sabatino had 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks, while junior forward Kenny Gan (Hillsborough, N.J.) tallied nine points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Senior guard Matt Skrelja (Clark, N.J.) had seven points, six rebounds and six assists, while Lorenz gave Stevens big-time minutes off the bench with nine points, four rebounds and three blocked shots.
 
Burton finished with 20 points to lead Kean, while Mix added 17 and Soulias had 14. The Cougars shot 27-for-61 from the field (44.3 percent), 8-for-22 from three and 8-for-14 at the line. They had 14 steals, 13 turnovers and 10 assists.
 
Kean (2-1) had a 29-12 margin in points off turnovers and a 15-6 edge in second-chance points. Stevens' bench finished with 25 tallies thanks to DeSeignora and Lorenz.
 
The Ducks will return to action when they host FDU-Florham Tuesday night in the Canavan Arena. All the action can be seen live at www.Empire8.TV.