HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 18, 2020)  – Five different players hit double figures as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team paired a balanced offensive attack with a strong defensive effort to defeat Misericordia University 81-61 Saturday in a MAC Freedom Contest played at Canavan Arena.

Senior Spencer Cook netted a team-high 17 points and classmate JoJo Mosca drained a game-high three 3-point field goals as the Ducks shot over 50 percent from the field for the third time this season in winning their second straight game. Junior Alec DiPietrantonio added 13 points and six rebounds and senior Kevin Florio chipped in with 11 and four as Stevens improved to 12-3 on the year and to 3-1 in conference action. 

Noah Rivera matched Cook with 17 points, while grabbing 12 rebounds, for his eighth double-double of the year and Tony Harding added 14 and four for the Cougars, who fell to 6-9 on the year and to 2-2 in the MAC Freedom. It is believed to be the first meeting between the programs.

Entering the game holding opponents to 37.6 percent shooting from the field, which ranked eighth in the country, held the Cougars to just 34.5 percent (10 for 29) shooting in the first half as the Ducks built their commanding lead. Following this afternoon's efforts, the Ducks moved to seventh nationally in field-goal percentage defense and 11th in 3-point field-goal defense. Stevens is 30th in Division III in scoring defense and the Ducks' +8.3 scoring margin leads the MAC Freedom.

After alternating the first six baskets of the game, DiPietrantoio and freshman Matt Crowley connected on back-to-back jumpers in the paint to put Stevens up for good. Each student-athlete connected shot 3 for 4 from the field as six different players contributed at least one point as the Ducks opened their lead. Mosca went 4 for 5 in the opening period and led all players with 12 points in the first half.

The Ducks finished the game shooting 10 for 24 from behind the arc for the team's fourth game with 10 or more threes. Five different players connected from 3-point range, including freshman Conor Coffey, who scored his first collegiate basket in the final minute.

Stevens connected for exactly 16 field goals in each half, with five baskets in each period coming from behind the arc. The Ducks opened up as much as a 28-point lead in the second half and closed the game out in style, connecting on five of their last six field-goal attempts.

Prior to the contest, Cook was presented with a commemorative basketball in recognition of his 1,000th career point, which was registered against Delaware Valley University on Jan. 8.

Pivotal Point

• Jake Bartholomew sank a three to pull Misericordia within four at 24-20 with six-and-a-half minutes to play in the first half. 
• The Ducks quickly came down the court and Cook answered with a three of his own.
• Rivera traveled to return the ball to the Ducks and Mosca nailed a corner three to give Stevens its first double-digit lead of the afternoon. 
• Stevens closed out the opening half on a 15-6 run to take a 13-point lead into the intermission. The Cougars' final two points came at the line with 11 seconds left in the period.

Inside the Numbers

• The Ducks' 53.3 shooting percentage was the team's second-highest mark this season. 
• Stevens won the battle of the boards, 35-34. Eight different Ducks pulled down at least one rebound with DiPietrantonio and senior Michael Zignorski pacing the team with six.
• Of Misericordia's 14 turnovers, 10 were accompanied by Stevens steals. Crowley collected five steals. Stevens only had 11. 
• Cook blocked a pair of shots as the Ducks blocked four on the day. 
• Freshman Peter White made one of two shots from the line for his first collegiate point.
• Stevens held Misericordia without a fast-break point. The Ducks also held the Cougars without a contribution from the bench in the first half.
• Of Rivera's 12 rebounds, five came on the offensive end, although Stevens had the advantage in second-chance points, 8-7.

Unsung Hero

• In addition to his prowess in causing turnovers, Crowley finished the game 5 for 9 from the field and handed out five assists against only one turnover. The Westfield, New Jersey native also nabbed two steals.

From the Court (Head Coach Bobby Hurley)

• "I am very happy with today's performance. I thought we did a good job on the defensive end and we executed pretty well offensively."

Up Next

• Men's Basketball welcomes DeSales University to Canavan Arena on Jan. 22.
• DeSales leads the all-time series 3-0, although the teams have not met since the 2001-02 season.
• Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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