JERSEY CITY, N.J. (November 16, 2022)  – Junior Mike Goodall had a game-high 15 points and sophomore Jack Spellman posted his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 16 rebounds, but the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team fell to New Jersey City University 58-48 Wednesday in a non-conference matchup at the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center.

Senior Matt Crowley and junior Alex Ratner each came off the bench to add seven points for the Ducks, who dropped to 0-3.

Avante Gilbert scored 14 points and Jacob Valeus came off the bench to add nine for the Gothic Knights, who improved to 2-1. The teams have split the last four meetings.

Free throws proved to be a key statistic in the contest. While the Ducks were an efficient 10 for 12 from the line, NJCU attempted 37 free throws, including a whopping 23 in the second half. The Gothic Knights finished the evening 25 of 37 from the charity stripe. 

Spellman hit a short jumper in the paint to open the game's scoring. The Westfield, New Jersey native would later make a pair from the line to push the Ducks' lead to 9-6 seven minutes into the contest. However, an 8-0 run, which included four from the free throw line, put the Gothic Knights up for good. 

The hosts would go on another run to open an 11-point lead, but the Ducks responded with six straight points, including a fast-break basket in transition by senior Matt Crowley to pull within five. However, NJCU closed out the first half to take a double-digit lead into the intermission.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens finished the night shooting 28.3% from the floor, although the Ducks outshot NJCU 34.4 to 21.4 in the second half.
• The Ducks held the Gothic Knights to 1 of 11 shooting from behind the arc. 
• Spellman's double-double was the ninth of his career.
• NJCU held a slim 44-42 margin on the glass, although the Ducks finished with a 44-42 edge on the defensive boards. NJCU also claimed an 11-8 edge in second-chance points.
• The Gothic Knights' 58 points marked a season low.
• One of the nation's leaders in 2021-22, Spellman finished with a game- and season-high seven blocks, which is tied for the third-most in a Division III game this season.
• Goodall led the team with two steals. 
• Sophomore Jack Liedtka drew his first collegiate start.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Bobby Hurley

• "We struggled offensively, but a lot of credit to NJCU's defense. They did a great job of making it difficult for us to score. Our defense was solid, but their aggressiveness to the rim put us in too many situations where we fouled and put them on the line."

Up Next

• Men's basketball hosts Scranton at Canavan Arena on Nov. 19 for the Ducks' home opener.
• Saturday's matchup is believed to be the first between the programs.
• Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

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