Box Score

Eastern EUMB 17-10

Stevens STEVENS 23-4

Eastern EUMB

17-10

Final

Feb. 29, 2020

Stevens STEVENS

23-4

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Eastern EUMB	27	32	59
Stevens STEVENS	41	36	77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/29/2020 10:46:00 PM | Stevens Athletic Communications

Dancin’ Ducks! Men’s Basketball Tops Eastern to Win MAC Freedom Crown and Reach NCAA Tournament

Cook named MVP as Ducks advance to the NCAA Tournament

Next Game:

vs. Colby College vs. Christopher Newport University

3/6/2020 | 4 P.M.

Next Game

Full Schedule

Mar. 06 (Fri) / 4 P.M.

vs. Colby College vs. Christopher Newport University

History

Roster

HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 29, 2020) – Senior Spencer Cook finished one shy of a career high with 32 points as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team won its first-ever conference championship with a 77-59 victory over Eastern University Saturday to capture the MAC Freedom title at Canavan Arena. The victory guaranteed the Ducks a berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year shot 10 for 20 from the floor, including 6 for 11 from behind the arc, while adding six free throws to post his second game with 30 or more points this season. Cook added six rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals for the Ducks, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. The senior guard averaged 24 points and 5.5 rebounds over the two-game tournament to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Cook set his career-high with a 33-point effort against Hartwick College on Jan. 13, 2018.

Freshman Matt Crowley added 14 points and six assists for the Ducks, who won their 10th straight game to improve to 23-4 on the year to match the program record for wins in a single season. Stevens' 10-game winning streak is the longest for the program since the Ducks reeled off 11 in a row during the 2006-07 season, which resulted in the Ducks' first-ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

William Blet had 14 points and Draig Ruff and Victor Pena added 13 each for Eastern, who fell to 17-10. The setback snapped the Eagles' three-game winning streak.

After the teams spent the first 90 seconds of the game feeling one another out, Pena scored the first basket of the game to give Eastern its only lead of the contest. Cook answered with his first 3-pointer of the game off a perfect feed from Crowley. Graduate student Kevin Florio sank a triple on the Ducks' next possession to push Stevens' lead to four. Junior Alec DiPietrantonio and senior Dylan Walsh connected for back-to-back baskets in the paint to force a timeout. Walsh's bucket came after offensive boards by Crowley and Florio kept possession with Stevens.

One of the stingiest defenses in the nation kept Eastern in check over the game's first 20 minutes. The Eagles shot 38% from the floor, but were just 2 for 8 from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Crowley and Florio combined for a perfect 3 for 3 on 3-point attempts as the Ducks opened a 14-point lead at the intermission.

An Eastern run was to be expected, and after the Ducks opened an 18-point lead following a Crowley three, the Eagles went on a 12-0 run to trim Stevens' lead to just six. However, Cook dashed any hopes of an Eastern comeback with 11 straight points to put the Ducks back in front by 12.

Cook's 32-point performance moved the Washington Township, New Jersey native into seventh place on the program's all-time career scoring list. His 518 points this season are the sixth-most in any single season in program history.

Pivotal Point

Blet scored a backdoor layup off a Pena pass to trim Stevens' lead to six just past the midway point of the second half.
Coach Hurley called a timeout to regroup and draw up a play.
The designed play resulted in a long three by Cook and sparked a stretch that saw Cook score 11 straight points as the Ducks reclaimed a 12-point lead.

Inside the Numbers

Stevens outshot Eastern 44.6% to 43.8, however, the Ducks were 12 of 24 from behind the arc, while the Eagles were just 4 of 15.
In the Ducks' two games against Eastern in Canavan Arena, Stevens shot 23 for 43 (53.4%) on its 3-point attempts.
The Ducks won the battle of the boards 38-26, including a 14-8 edge on the offensive glass.
DiPietrantonio recorded two blocks.
Eastern only made 13 of its 24 attempts from the line.
Senior JoJo Mosca finished with six points on a pair of 3-pointers. 41 of Mosca's 54 baskets have come from behind the arc.

Unsung Hero

Senior Tyler McShea scored four points and grabbed three rebounds over 18 minutes. Pressed into action in the second half, the Hainesport, New Jersey native was also credited with creating a pair of jump-ball situations and kept a key possession alive by diving onto the floor.

From the Court (Head Coach Bobby Hurley)

"So happy for our guys! They competed right from the start and they were locked in for 40 minutes.. Spencer seemed to make big shot after big shot and our seniors stepped up and got all the stops we needed down the stretch."
"This is truly a special group. I couldn't be happier for them and all they have accomplished this season. It will be a special moment on Monday hearing our name called for the NCAA Tournament and we will be excited to then get back to work."

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