Florio
67
DeSales DSU 11-5,4-1 MAC Freedom
72
Winner Stevens Stev 13-3,4-1 MAC Freedom
DeSales DSU
11-5,4-1 MAC Freedom
67
Final
72
Stevens Stev
13-3,4-1 MAC Freedom
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
DeSales DSU 24 43 67
Stevens Stev 33 39 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Stevens Athletic Communications

Men’s Basketball Holds Off DeSales 72-67 for Third Straight Win

Cook nets 25 as Stevens takes an 18-point lead before holding off DeSales in the final minutes.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 22, 2020)  – Senior Spencer Cook netted a game-high 25 points as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team jumped out to an early 13-2 lead and then held off DeSales University 72-67 Wednesday evening in a MAC Freedom contest played at Canavan Arena.

Senior Kevin Florio added 12 points and four rebounds and classmate Dylan Walsh chipped in with 10 points and eight boards for the Ducks, who led wire-to-wire in winning their third straight game to improve to 13-3 on the year and 4-1 in conference play. The victory was Stevens' first in four all-time meetings with DeSales, although the teams had not met since 2001.

Mike Bealer scored 19 points in the second half to lead DeSales, who saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end. The Bulldogs dropped to 11-5 on the year and to 4-1 in the MAC Freedom.

Entering the game fourth in Division III in field-goal percentage defense, the Ducks jumped out to a 33-24 halftime lead courtesy of the team's stingy defense and sharp-shooting from behind the arc. The Ducks drained six of their first eight attempts from the floor, with four of the makes coming from behind the arc. Stevens finished the first half 12 of 34 from the field, but the Ducks sank five of their first 12 attempts from 3-point range. On the defensive end, the Ducks held the Bulldogs to just 9 of 28 from the floor over the opening 20 minutes, including just 1 for 13 from behind the arc. 

Cook drained a three to open Stevens' scoring in the second half and the Ducks grew the lead to as many as 18 before DeSales climbed back into the game. The Bulldogs trimmed the lead to a single point after Bealer's fifth three-pointer with a minute remaining in regulation. Aggressive defensive led to both sides struggling to find an offensive possession in the final seconds, which resulted in alternating turnovers.

Senior Tyler McShea fell atop a loose ball to end a crucial DeSales possession with 30 seconds left in regulation. The forced turnover led to a pair of free throws for Cook as Stevens hit six straight from the line to secure the victory. Bealer scored the game's final basket with two seconds left after the Ducks had pushed their advantage back to five.

Cook scored 13 points in the first half and 12 in the second for his fifth game of more than 20 points this season. The Washington Township, New Jersey native needs 107 points to move into 10th place all-time in program history in career points. Cook is fourth in scoring in the MAC Freedom and 10th in field-goal percentage.

Inside the Numbers
  • DeSales outshot 40% to 39.3, although the Ducks finished 9 for 20 (45%) from behind the arc. The Ducks continue to rank among Division III's leaders in both field-goal defense and 3-point field-goal defense. 
  • Stevens won the battle of the boards, 46-35, including a 15-9 edge on the offensive glass. Junior Alec DiPietrantonio finished with a game-high nine rebounds in just 10 minutes. Over his last 44 minutes, the Mount Laurel, New Jersey native has grabbed 21 rebounds. 
  • Each side committed 24 turnovers. Stevens turned the 24 DeSales miscues into 17 points.
  • Cook and McShea each blocked one shot.
  • Senior JoJo Mosca matched a career-high with three steals. The Ducks finished with 11, the team's third-highest total this season.
  • Freshman Brett Bischoping scored on his only attempt from the floor.
  • Tonight's victory ensured the Ducks will finish over .500 in the regular season and a victory Saturday ensures the program's fourth straight winning season.
  • Freshman Matt Crowley finished with a game-high five assists.
  • Zignorski and Cook each went 4 for 4 from the free throw line and Florio made five of his seven attempts. Florio also finished a game-high +8.
  • Stevens had a 13-4 edge in fast-break points.

Unsung Hero
  • Senior Tyler McShea came off the bench and played a career-high 22 minutes, while scoring one basket. The Hainesport, New Jersey native also pulled down one rebound, blocked a shot and nabbed a career-high two steals. After sitting out the two previous seasons, McShea is 13 for 17 from the field and 6 of 9 from the free throw line.

From the Court (Head Coach Bobby Hurley)
  • "DeSales did a great job defending us late in the game to cut into our lead, but we had some terrific stops down the stretch. Tyler McShea gave us great minutes off the bench and his defensive effort at the end allowed us to secure the win. We still have many areas to improve on, but we are very happy with this win against a very talented DeSales team."

Up Next
  • Men's Basketball heads to St. Davids, Pennsylvania for the program's first meeting with Eastern University on Jan. 25. 
  • Both teams are tied atop the conference standings at 4-1. 
  • Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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