ELMIRA, N.Y. (January 26, 2019)  – Senior Kevin Florio went 11-for-13 from the line and finished with 14 points, but the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team fell to Elmira College in an Empire 8 Conference matchup at Spiedel Gymnasium.

Sophomore Alec DiPietrantonio finished with a team-high 15 points before fouling out and senior Ryan Coffey added nine points and nine rebounds for the Ducks, who dropped their third straight to fall to 13-7 overall and 6-5 in the conference.

Justin Porrett posted a game-high 17 points and Rashaad Nurse added 13 points and eight board for Elmira, who has alternated wins and losses over its last three games. Elmira improved to 5-11 on the year and 3-4 in league play. The teams have split their last four meetings, although Stevens holds a 20-4 record in the all-time series. 

A defensive affair in the early going, the Ducks grabbing a lead on a DiPietrantonio layup. Stevens opened a six-point advantage on a JoJo Mosca fast break layup. Elmira chipped away at Stevens' lead, but it senior Jayson Winick hit the second of two free throws to send Stevens into the intermission with a one-point advantage.

Out of the break, DiPietrantonio and Coffey made back-to-back layups to push the lead to five and the Ducks' sophomore center scored five minutes into the second period to give Stevens its largest lead of the game at 40-33.

Nurse scored in the paint to put Elmira back in front and the Soaring Eagles opened as much as a six-point lead in the second half before Stevens mounted its comeback in the game's final five minutes.

The entire Stevens men's basketball coaching staff wore sneakers for the game as part of Coaches vs. Cancer's Suits and Sneakers weekend, a nationwide event when basketball coaches across the country united for a common cause - saving lives from cancer.

Pivotal Point

• Trailing by one in the final minute, the Ducks held Elmira off the board with blocks by Winick and Coffey.
• The Ducks had two attempts to either tie the game or retake the lead, but committed a pair of turnovers to return possession to the home team.
• Kyle Kokoskie converted the second of his two free throws and Rashaad Nurse scored on a layp to secure the victory for Elmira.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot Elmira 39.6 percent to 35.6, although Elmira out-earned Stevens from behind the arc, 42.3 percent to 20. For the game, the Soaring Eagles totaled 11 threes against just three for the Ducks. Stevens did not make a three in the second half.
• Each team pulled down 34 rebounds, although Elmira had the edge on the offensive glass, 13-11.
• Stevens matched a season high with seven blocks. Coffey and Winick each rejected two Soaring Eagle scoring attempts.
• Kyle Kokoskie came off the bench to record a game-high four assists. Stevens received two assists from four different players.
• Elmira forced 20 turnovers leading to 31 points. The Ducks turned 19 miscues into 20 points.
• Stevens had the edge in points in the paint (36-18) and second-chance points (12-11).
• Each team had four fast break points.

Unsung Hero

• Freshman Colin MacCullough came off the bench to play 12 minutes, helping the Ducks manage foul trouble. The Arlington, Virginia native scored a career-high four points, blocked a shot and pulled down a rebound.

Up Next

• Men's Basketball welcomes St. John Fisher College to Canavan Arena on Feb. 1 for an important conference contest. 
• Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.

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