HOUGHTON, N.Y. (February 9, 2019)  – A game-changing run to open the second half pushed a four-point lead into double digits as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team returned to the win column with an 84-72 victory over Houghton College Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup at The Nielsen Center.

Sophomore Alec DiPietrantonio posted his ninth double-double of the season with a team-high 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds and seniors Ryan Coffey and Conor Barron each added 13 points for the Ducks, who topped Houghton for the fourth straight time to improve to 15-9 on the season and 8-7 in league play. Stevens still ultimately controls its own destiny for the postseason with one game left on the schedule. A Utica loss combined with a Stevens victory or two Utica setbacks will propel the Ducks into the postseason.

Isander Ramos-Net matched DiPietrantonio with 19 points and Antonio Deadmon added 14 points and eight boards for the Highlanders, who fell to 1-21 on the year and 0-13 in the conference. Houghton has dropped 13 straight.

Leading by just four at halftime, senior Frank Amari opened scoring in the second half with a free throw, which was followed by a Coffey three to push the lead eight. Jordin Holmes briefly slowed Stevens down with a three before Barron answered with a catch-and-shoot three. Coffey closed the game-defining run with a layup in the paint to push Stevens' lead to double digits. The Ducks pushed the pace over the final 20 minutes and opened as much as a 21-point lead in the second stanza.

Pivotal Point

• Sophomore Maguire Sweeney stole the ball from Ramos-Net, which led to a layup by junior Michael Zignorski in the final seconds of the first half. 
• The steal prevented Houghton from having a chance to either tie the game or take the lead heading into the intermission.
• Zignorski finished with 11 points as the Ducks had four players in double figures.

Inside the Numbers

• For the game, Houghton outshot Stevens 52 percent to 46. The Ducks fired 68 shots from the floor, the second-highest total for the team this season.
• Houghton hit nine threes against eight for the Ducks. Barron and Ramos-Net each knocked down three from behind the arc to lead all players.
• Where Stevens separated itself was at the line, where the Ducks knocked down 14 free throws to just five for the Highlanders. The Ducks matched a season-low by committing just 11 fouls.
• The Ducks won the battle of the boards, 37-34, including a 16-8 edge on the offensive glass. The margin on the offensive glass led to a 19-3 advantage for the Ducks in second-chance points.
• Stevens recorded a season-high 12 steals.
• The Ducks did not block a shot for the first time this season. 
• Stevens turned 20 Houghton turnovers into 31 points. The Ducks turned the ball over just 12 times.
• The Ducks also held the edge in points off the bench and points in the paint.
• Each team scored eight points on the fast break.
• Sweeney and freshman Colin MacCullough each knocked down their only attempt from the floor.

Unsung Hero

• Junior Dylan Walsh recorded a career-high four steals, while pulling down three rebounds over 18 minutes in his first start of the season.

From the Court

• "Our energy and effort in the second half really helped us stretch that lead in today's game. We are looking forward to having a great week of practice before we honor our seniors next Saturday afternoon." - head coach Bobby Hurley.

Up Next

• Men's Basketball closes the regular season by welcoming Hartwick College to Canavan Arena on Feb. 16.
• The Ducks defeated the Hawks, 97-70, at Lambros Arena on Jan. 8. Hartwick leads the all-time series 13-11.
• Prior to the game, the men's basketball Class of 2019 will be recognized in a special pre-game ceremony.
• Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
Snapchat: ducks_athletics
#AllRise