HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 21, 2023) – Graduate student Stephen Braunstein finished with a game-high 18 points as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team raced out to a 14-4 lead and never trailed in defeating Baruch College 65-52 Tuesday evening in a non-conference contest at Canavan Arena. 

First-year Xander Singh had 10 points and junior Jack Spellman grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked four shots for the Ducks, who won their third straight to improve to 3-1.

Devin Nicholson had 13 points and Akil Vaughn came off the bench to add 10 for Baruch, who dropped its second straight to fall to 2-3. 

Stevens led wire-to-wire in winning its fifth straight game against the cross-river rival and 10th in the last 11 meetings. 

Of note, Spellman's 19 boards set a new career high and are the most by a Duck since alumnus Alec DiPietrantonio snagged 20 in a win over Baruch on Nov. 23, 2021. The 19 rebounds are the second-most by a MAC Freedom player this season. 

The Rundown

• The game began with an administrative technical against Stevens, although Nicholson's free throw rimmed out and when the game finally got underway, Braunstein converted his first three field-goal attempts as part of the game-opening 14-4 run. The Colts Neck, New Jersey product made a layup for the game's first basket. Nicholson followed with a short jumper to produce the only tie of the game, which Singh answered with a long three 13 seconds later. Braunstein added a long two and then a triple of his own to help spark the run and the fifth-year's 18 points matched his point total with the program. 
• The lead swelled to 13 on a fast-break 3-pointer from first-year Tommy Scholl before Baruch converted on three of its next five possessions to finally reach double figures. Although Stevens shot just under 45% (13 of 29) in the first half, Baruch was able to claw back into the game courtesy of 15 offensive rebounds to trim the Ducks' advantage to just seven at halftime.
• It was Braunstein again providing the spark in the second half, opening the scoring in the final period with another basket from long range after classmate Conor Coffey found him open after a Baruch turnover. 
• Although Baruch controlled the offensive glass in the first half, the Ducks didn't allow Baruch the same luxury in the second half, holding the Bearcats to just three offensive boards and just four second-chance points. 
• After Braunstein's half-opening 3-pointer pushed the Ducks' lead back to double digits, 10 points would be as close as Baruch would threaten over the final 20 minutes. A Nicholson three brought Baruch back to 10 in the final minutes, but Braunstein again answered the bell with a second-chance layup that squashed Baruch's hopes for late heroics.

Top Performers

• Spellman pulled down six offensive boards and 13 on the defensive end to surpass his 18-rebound performance last season at NJCU. The 19 rebounds moved the Westfield, New Jersey product over the 500-career rebound mark.
• Spellman has blocked at least two shots in all four games this season.
• Coffey finished with a game-high three assists.
• Senior Mike Goodall nabbed a game-high three steals. 
• Graduate student Tommy McGuire matched Spellman with four blocks. 
• Sophomore Matt Leming was a perfect 5 for 5 from the line. 
• Stevens finished with a +3 edge on the boards and although Baruch had the edge in offensive rebounds (18-14), the Ducks held a 14-9 edge in second-chance points. 

For the Opponents

• Vaughn led Baruch with 12 rebounds for a double-double. Seven of Vaughn's 12 boards were on the offensive glass.
• Will Fredericks came off the bench to pace Baruch with two blocks. He also made his only attempt from the floor and pulled down six rebounds.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• King's 78, Clarks Summit 65 (Nov. 20)
• Arcadia 68, Immaculata 57
• Elizabethtown 68, Lebanon Valley 67
• Delaware Valley 76, Gwynedd Mercy 68
• DeSales 89, Moravian 77

Up Next

• Following the holiday break, Stevens hosts Rutgers-Newark inside Canavan Arena on Sunday, Nov. 26 I the annual post-holiday contest. The Ducks have won three straight over the Scarlet Raiders, including a 72-56 decision last season in Hoboken, in a game that was originally set to be played in Newark but was relocated due to damage to the Golden Dome Athletic Center floor.

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