HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 4, 2023) – First-year Brendan Coughlan and sophomore Jack Spellman each recorded a key defensive play in the second half as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team held off Wilkes University 69-64 Wednesday night in a MAC Freedom matchup at Canavan Arena.

Senior Conor Coffey led three players in double figures with a team-high 13 points and Spellman and junior Mike Goodall each finished with 12 for the Ducks, who moved to 7-6 on the year and a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

Drake Marshall scored a game-high 16 points and Cayden Merrifield added 14 to lead Wilkes, who dropped to 7-6 on the year and to 2-2 in the MAC Freedom. Stevens has won each of the last four meetings between the teams. 

With the teams tied at 51, Spellman, who entered the game fourth in Division III in blocks per game, made his presence felt on the defensive side of the floor. Merrifield attempted a runner, but Spellman emphatically swatted the shot away for his third block of the game. The ball made its way to Marshall, who caught the rejected shot at the three-point line, and attempted to beat the shot clock with a wild field-goal attempt. The second-chance attempt clanked off the rim and Wilkes' Jason Eberhart came down with the rebound out of bounds to give the Ducks the ball.

The Ducks would make their way into the frontcourt and work their offense until Coffey sank a long three to put Stevens in front with just over seven minutes left in the game. Merrifield answered with a three and then added a fast-break layup only for Spellman to put the Ducks back in front with a traditional three-point play. After a Marshall misfire from long range, Goodall hit a long jumper to push the lead to three, setting the stage for Coughlan.

After missing a layup on the offensive end, Coughlan recovered and stepped in front of a pass near midcourt. The Glen Allen, Virginia native then coasted in for a fast-break layup to give the Ducks a five-point lead. The Ducks would maintain at least a four-point lead over the remaining 4:25 to secure the victory.

After both sides shot better than 40% in the first half in playing to a 31-31 tie, it was Stevens that improved in the second half, making 14 of its 27 attempts (51.9%) from the floor over the final 20 minutes. For the game, the Ducks shot 48.1% - the fourth time the team has shot better than 45% in a game this season. 

Inside the Numbers

• The Ducks attempt 27 shots in each half. Wilkes nearly matched the Ducks, firing 31 attempts in the first half and 32 in the second. 
• Wilkes did not attempt a free throw in the first half and only attempted six in the game. Meanwhile, the Ducks were 7 for 10 in the second half alone.
• Senior Matt Crowley led the Ducks with four assists. Marshall matched Crowley with four to pace Wilkes.
• The Colonels won the battle of the boards 37-30, including a 13-6 edge on the offensive glass. However, Wikes only held a 9-8 edge in second-chance points.
• A tight affair, the game featured nine ties and 12 lead changes. 
• Junior Alex Ratner came off the bench with nine points and five rebounds and finished a team-leading +9.
• The Ducks turned 15 Wilkes turnovers into 16 points. 

Up Next

• Men's Basketball continues conference play on Jan. 7 with a home matchup with King's.
• The Ducks have won all four meetings between the programs.
• Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
#AllRise