ROCHESTER, N.J. (February 24, 2017) – Freshman Spencer Cook scored 25 points as the second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team topped third-seeded Utica 79-71 in the Empire 8 Conference Championship semifinal Friday night.

The win moved Stevens to 19-7, and advanced it to its first E8 championship game since 2013.

The 25 points were the second most of the season for the Stevens rookie of the year, while senior Patrick Barron and sophomore Ryan Coffey each chipped in with 10. Senior Evan Klimchak scored eight with four rebounds, and junior Jake Kratnz scored eight points with eight rebounds. 

Stevens shot 48 percent from the field and 82 percent from the line, while defensively forcing 16 Utica turnovers. 

Both sides deadlocked at 12 five minutes into regulation before Stevens created separation off an 11-0 run capped by a layup from freshman Dylan Walsh. Utica ended the spurt with one at the line, but a jumper from Cook kick-started an 11-3 run which put the Ducks up 34-15 with under seven to play.

Utica rallied with a 14-2 run of its own to pull within seven with just over two minutes remaining, but a pair of layups from Krantz kept the lead from getting any smaller heading into the break. 

Utica quickly pulled to within five early in the second, but a layup from Barron three minutes in brought the lead back to 11 at 46-35. The Pioneers continued to chip away however, getting back to within three on four different occasions near the midway point of the half. 

Stevens refused to allow Utica any closer though, building the lead back to double-digits on a layup from Klimchak with under six to play. The Pioneers did get within five with under four to go, but five at the line in the final minute closed out the win for Stevens. 

Stevens will take on top-seeded St. John Fisher tomorrow at 4 p.m.

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