ROCHESTER, N.Y. (February 23, 2018) – Michael Zignorski hit a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining to give the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team a two-point lead, but Utica College's Avery Coston knocked down a game-winning three-pointer to give the Pioneers an epic one-point victory in the Empire 8 semifinals on Friday.
 
The epic duel befitted the conference rivals, who split their two matchups this season, including a 75-71 nail-biter in the regular season finale five days ago. Stevens was the No. 2 seed in the Empire 8 Tournament and Utica was the three-seed.
 
Jayson Winick shot 6-11, including 2-3 from downtown to lead the Ducks with 16 points and also paced the team with two blocks. He was named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team.

Zignorski finished with 15 points and a team-best eight rebounds. A total of 10 Ducks scored in the game.
 
Stevens had a seven-point lead at the break, and the game featured three ties and nine lead changes. The Ducks led by as many as nine late in the first half.
 
Despite being out-rebounded, the Ducks outscored Utica in the paint 30-24.
 
Ivan Iton recorded a double-double for the Pioneers, with 21 points and a game-high 15 rebounds and three blocks. Carl Taylor added 14 points for Utica. Coston made 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc for the Pioneers.
 
Other Stevens highlights included Thomas Cook and Frank Amari shooting a combined 5-for-7 from the floor. Cook also pulled down six rebounds.
 
The Ducks end the season with an 18-8 record. Utica will move on to face Nazareth College in the Emprie 8 Final Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
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