HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 11, 2022)  – Graduate students Matt LaCorte and Alec DiPietrantonio each posted double-doubles to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team to a 65-60 overtime victory over Delaware Valley University Wednesday evening in a MAC Freedom matchup at Canavan Arena.

First-year Jack Spellman had eight points and 11 rebounds and junior Conor Coffey had eight and nine for the Ducks, who won their second straight to improve to 10-8 on the year and to 9-4 in the MAC Freedom. Stevens is tied for second in the conference with Lycoming, but the Ducks hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Warriors after sweeping the season series. Both teams remain a half-game ahead of Arcadia. The overtime victory was the first for Stevens since defeating Elmira 84-83 on Jan. 4. Stevens has now reached double figures in victories 13 times under head coach Bobby Hurley.

Thomas Ibidapo came off the bench to lead the Aggies with 17 points and Matt Paulus added 10 as Delaware Valley fell to 12-9 on the year and to 8-6 in conference play. Delaware Valley has alternated wins and losses over its last four games. The Aggies are in fifth place in the conference, one game behind Arcadia, although the Knights swept the season series.

LaCorte matched a season-high with 22 points while also grabbing a season-high 11 rebounds to post his third career double-double and first since Jan. 26, 2019. The Westfield, New Jersey native shot 7 for 14 from the field, including three baskets from long range, while also scoring five from the line. LaCorte is averaging 16 points and three triples over his last four games. 

DiPietrantonio, meanwhile, went 7 for 12 from the floor and finished with 15 points and 13 boards to post his 10th double-double of the season and 35th of his career. Five of his 13 boards were on the offensive end. DiPietrantonio is tied for the MAC Freedom lead with 11.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 23rd in Division III. He's averaging 14.6 points and 13.3 boards over his last seven games. 

The Ducks held Delaware Valley without a field goal in overtime, outscoring the Aggies 10-5 in the extra period. DiPietrantonio scored both of the Ducks' baskets, connecting on a pair of layups. LaCorte and Coffey combined to go 4 for 4 from the line to seal the victory. Delaware Valley scored all five of its overtime points from the free throw line.

In a game where neither team held more than a seven-point lead, the teams combined for 13 lead changes and eight ties. Each side produced one double-digit scoring run in the first half. 

The tight play continued in the second half, where the teams played within five points of one another over the final 20 minutes of regulation. The Ducks had a chance to win the game on their final possession, but Coffey's runner fell short to force overtime.

Pivotal Point

• DiPietrantonio stripped Godly Marc on the Aggies' first possession in the extra period. He then made a layup to put Stevens back in front. Stevens would maintain its lead for the remainder of the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens held Delaware Valley to 32.4% shooting, marking the ninth time the Ducks have held an opponent under 33%. Stevens is ranked second in the country in field-goal percentage defense, holding teams to just 36.3% on the season.
• Three double-digit rebounders helped Stevens to a 54-41 edge on the boards. The 54 rebounds marks a new season high.
• Spellman had six of his 11 rebounds on the offensive glass, helping Stevens to a 19-11 edge. The Ducks were able to turn their 19 offensive rebounds into 18 second-chance points.
• The Ducks held a 34-18 edge in points in the paint and an 8-4 margin in fast-break points.
• Coffey finished with a game-high seven assists. 
• Spellman blocked six shots and is 10th in the country in blocked shots (2.65) per game.
• Marc led both sides with four seals. DiPietrantonio, LaCorte, sophomore Mike Goodall and junior Matt Crowley each had two to lead the Ducks.
• LaCorte made all five of his free throws. As a team, Stevens shot 75% from the line. 

Unsung Hero

• Graduate student Maguire Sweeney finished with three points and a pair of rebounds. The Summit, New Jersey native was one of two Ducks to finish with a positive plus-minus rating in the second half. 

From the Court - Head Coach Bobby Hurley

• "I thought we defended really well and we got great shots on the offensive end. Unfortunately, we didn't get many to fall tonight, but our guys work hard on their shooting and those shots will fall soon. We do need to sharpen up our passing as we had too many unforced turnovers."

Up Next

• Men's Basketball continues MAC Freedom play on Feb. 12, heading to Dallas, Pennsylvania to take on Misericordia.
• The Cougars edged the Ducks 77-67 on Jan. 8.
• Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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