Stevens Institute of Technology Athletics

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 11, 2023) - Graduate Stephen Braunstein scored 18 points and added two steals as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team dropped their season opener to No. 17 Catholic 79-74 Saturday afternoon.

The Ducks (0-1) lost their season opener four the fourth-straight season. The last season opener they won was against NJCU back in the 2019-2020 season. Catholic improves to 2-0 and has now won two-straight matches over the Ducks.

Stevens led for the first five minutes of the game before the Cardinals came back to take the lead at 11-9. Stevens had four different scorers score their first nine points. Down 13-9, graduate Conor Coffey hit a three to cut the deficit to one. First-year Harmehar Chhabra would score the next three points for the Ducks. At the 7:19 mark, junior Jack Liedtka hit a big three to get back to within one again at 24-23. Two minutes later, Braunstein banged home a three on the fast break to tie things at 26. The two teams remained close, and Stevens eventually retook the lead with 2:09 to go in the half after a jumper by Coffey. The score would be deadlocked at 34 at the half.

Junior Jack Spellman and Braunstein extended the Ducks lead to four out of the break as Spellman made a shot in the paint while Braunstein converted two free throws. Catholic ended up getting two back, but Braunstein went on a personal 6-0 run, hitting a three pointer and converting an and-one, to push the Duck lead to six at 44-38. Catholic would score four straight to cut the deficit, but then Chhabra would score five-straight points for Stevens. The Cardinals ended up re-taking the lead with 9:45 to go and never trailed the rest of the way. The two teams kept trading punches back and forth, as the Catholic lead never eclipsed three until the 4:44 mark. Trailing 76-70 with 1:41 to go, Braunstein made an important three to trim the deficit in half. Catholic would remain solid at the line down the stretch to secure the victory.

Top Performers

• In his first game as a Duck, Braunstein dropped 18 points.
• Spellman scored 16 points, grabbed nine boards, and blocked seven shots.
• Coffey led the team in assists with four.
• Chhabra scored 10 points in his collegiate debut.
• Ten Ducks saw game action.
• Stevens shot 45.6 percent (26-57) from the field and 25.0 percent (7-28) from three. The Ducks also went 15-19 (78.9%) from the line.

The Opponent

• Jesse Hafemeister had a team high 18 points.
• Dan Buckley scored 13 points and added eight rebounds.
• Tommy Kelly and Brian Herbert each tallied 13 points.
• Catholic shot 48.4 percent (30-62) from the field and 36.4 percent (4-11) from three. They also went 15-20 from the free throw line (75.0%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• FDU-Florham 72, Ursinus 89 F/WED
• Lebanon Valley 55, Lycoming 67 F/WED
• King's 104, Penn State Hazleton 84 F/WED
• Mount Saint Mary (NY) 59, Misericordia 112 F/THUR
• Rosemont 53, DeSales 92 F/THUR
• Susquehanna 63, Arcadia 64 F/THUR
• FDU-Florham 56, Scranton 69 F/FRI
• Wilson 61, Delaware Valley 59 F/FRI
• King's 80, Widener 105 F/FRI
• Misericordia 73, Centenary 63
• Marywood 71, FDU-Florham 81
• Widener 91, King's 75
• Cabrini 65, Arcadia 74
• FDU-Florham vs. Farmingdale State 4 p.m.
• Lebanon Valley vs. St. John Fisher 6 p.m.

Up Next: The Ducks are back in action on Wednesday as they host NJCU in their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Ducks are 2-6 all-time against NJCU, with NJCU winning the last two matchups. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com