ALLIANCE, Ohio (March 4, 2022)  – Graduate student Matt LaCorte scored a career-high 31 points to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team to an 84-74 victory over No. 11 University of Mount Union Friday in an NCAA Tournament opening-round matchup at the McPherson Athletic Complex.

First-year Jack Spellman notched his eighth double-double with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and junior Matt Crowely nearly recorded a triple-double with 11 points, nine assists and a career-high seven boards for the Ducks, who won their ninth straight game to improve to 17-8. The 10-point victory marked the program's third NCAA victory and the first since Mar. 3, 2007, when the Ducks won two games in the 2007 national tournament. 

Darrell Newsrom had 22 points and Ethan Stanislawski had 10 points and seven assists for Mount Union, who dropped their second straight game to conclude the season 23-5. Tonight's contest was the first meeting between the programs.

LaCorte shot a blistering 9 for 11 from behind the arc and finished 10 for 14 and 5 for 6 from the line to easily surpass his previous career best of 26 points set on Jan. 22, 2020. The Westfield, New Jersey native was strong in the first half, scoring 12 points on four 3-points, but he was even better in the second half, making all six attempts from the floor, including five from behind the arc to total 19 points. LaCorte's nine three-pointers were one shy of matching the program record for 3's in a game, set by Anthony Passalacqua against Elmira on Feb. 20, 2009, and the most by a Duck since alumnus Patrick Barron drained nine against Bryn Athyn on Nov. 14, 2015.. All five of the Ducks' starters reached double figures.

The Ducks were able to jump out in front early, scoring the game's first 10 points. Crowley opened the scoring with a layup and Stevens quickly regained possession after forcing a 10-second violation. The Ducks forced 12 Mount Union turnovers and turned them into 22 points, the first three of which came when LaCorte knocked down his first triple of the game after the Purple Raiders' turnover.

Crowley intercepted a Stanislawski pass for an easy fast-break layup and Ducks' lead reached double figures when Spellman knocked down a three off a Crowley feed. 

While LaCorte was powering the Ducks' offense, Newsrom was equally as impressive. The Mount Union forward went 5 for 5 from behind the arc in the first half, helping the Purple Raiders steady the ship and claim a 41-38 advantage at halftime.

A tightly contested game, the contest had eight lead changes and three ties. Mount Union would open as much as an eight-point lead midway through the second half, before the Ducks went on a 10-2 over a three-minute stretch to jump in front for good. Sophomore Mike Goodall began the stretch, intercepting a Michael Skeriotis pass, feeding graduate student Alec DiPietrantonio for a layup, while the Ocean City, New Jersey native absorbed contact from Julian Berry. 

DiPietrantonio, who finished with 15 points and a block, made the free throw to pull Stevens within one. The Ducks would jump in front for good on another LaCorte three, after the Ducks were able to retain possession after an offensive team rebound. All totaled, five Ducks scored during a 15-3 run that turned a seven-point deficit into a five-point advantage. 

Although Mount Union entered the contest ranked 10th in the country in shooting, Stevens held the Purple Raiders nearly eight percentage points under their season average. The Ducks held the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Christian Parker, to eight points and three rebounds under his season average. The Ducks were also one of six teams to shoot better than 45% from the floor against Mount Union. Stevens allowed just five field goals over the final 10:26 to secure the win.

After going 2 for 6 from the line in the first half, Stevens shot 17 of 19 from the charity stripe over the game's 20 minutes to close out the victory. The Ducks will play No. 22 Williams in Saturday's second round. The Ephs posted a 95-57 victory over Neumann University for the program's 51st NCAA victory.

Pivotal Point

• After a pair of free throws by junior Conor Coffey, Mount Union had a chance to cut into the Ducks' three-point lead with just under seven minutes left in the contest.
• Braedon Poole attempted a long jumper, but the long arms of DiPietrantonio altered the shot.
• Spellman rebounded the blocked shot.
• Coffey came down the floor quickly and sank a pull-up jumper to push the lead to five and force a Mount Union timeout.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens finished 27 of 59 from the floor, including 11 of 18 from behind the arc. The 11 three-pointers mark the fifth time that the Ducks have reached double figures in baskets from long range. 
• The Ducks held a 43-33 edge on the boards. The 10-rebound advantage is the largest margin against Mount Union this season.
• The Ducks moved to 16-0 in games where they're leading with 5:00 left to play.
• Each team had 10 offensive rebounds, but the Ducks finished with an 8-7 edge in second-chance points. 
• Each side scored 24 points in the paint. 
• The Ducks held a 23-17 edge in fast-break points. 
• Crowley led the Ducks with three steals. 

From the Court - Head Coach Bobby Hurley

• "I am really proud of our guys. They competed right from the start and we knew that if we defended the way we were capable of, that we would have a chance to win. Matt LaCorte was terrific today and he made every big shot. Happy for this group and excited for tomorrow."

Up Next

• Men's Basketball plays No. 22 Williams in the second round on Saturday evening. The 1-2 against the Ephs since 2012, including a 73-55 setback on Nov. 18, 2017 in the last meeting.

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