HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 3, 2024) - Graduate student Stephen Braunstein recorded matched his season-high 28 points, while graduate student Conor Coffey scored a season-high 20 points and added seven assists, as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team defeated Misericordia 87-75 in MAC Freedom play Saturday afternoon inside Canavan Arena.

The Ducks improved to 17-4 and 8-2 in MAC Freedom play. Stevens is now on a five-game winning streak, and Stevens has also yet to lose a home conference game this season. The Ducks are now 7-3 all-time against Misericordia and the two teams have now split the season series, with each team claiming victory on their respective home court. The Cougars fell to 12-9 and 6-4 in the MAC Freedom. Stevens remains in second place in the conference standings and has clinched a postseason appearance while Misericordia sits in fourth and still has work to do. The top four teams qualify for the MAC Freedom tournament.

The high-scoring first half started with Stevens jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead in the first minute and a half, as Braunstein and junior Jack Spellman each made two-pointers while senior Mike Goodall added a triple. The Cougars would score seven of the next nine to get back within two, but graduate student Conor Coffey hit a triple to put the Ducks back up five. Up 19-17 with a little over 11 minutes to go, Braunsten and first-year Xander Singh made buckets to put the Ducks up six. The Ducks would go up 26-19 with 9:31 remaining after a Braunstein triple. Later in the half, the Cougars would tie the game at 33. On the next Duck possession, first-year Tommy Scholl made a three to put the Ducks back on top. Misericordia answered with a three, but Braunstein came right back with a three of his own to make the score 39-36. Singh closed the half with two field goals, as the Ducks led 44-38 at the half.

The Ducks put the clamps on the Cougars to start the second as they opened the half on a 14-4 run to take a 16 point lead less than five minutes in. Coffey had five of the 14 while Braunstein added a three. Misericordia then hit a three to cut the Duck lead to 13. The two teams would trade baskets through the next four minutes, as Stevens still led by 13 at 70-57. The lead would grow to as much as 18, as Braunstein made a sweet basket off of a steal to make the score 82-64 with just over six minutes left. The Cougars then went on a 8-0 run to get the deficit back down to 10, but it would be too little too late as the Ducks would secure the victory with their defense.

Top Performers

• Braunstein also had two blocks and two steals.
• Coffey also grabbed two rebounds.
• Singh recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
• Spellman scored seven points and had nine boards.
• Goodall also had seven points.
• Stevens shot 48.5 percent (33-68) from the field and 34.6 percent (9-26) from three. The Ducks also went 12-16 (75.0%) from the line.

The Opponent

• Kevin Lazdowsky had a game-high 30 points.
• Derek Smith scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds.
• Nick Hornung recorded 11 points.
• Misericordia shot 44.3 percent (27-61) from the field and 46.4 percent (13-28) from three. They also went 8-10 from the free throw line (80.0%).

Around the MAC Freedom

• Lebanon Valley 54, Delaware Valley 70
• Arcadia 86, King's 71
• FDU-Florham 47, DeSales 74

Up Next: The Ducks continue conference play at home on Wednesday as they host No. 22 DeSales. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. It will be a Duck Country and Tees for 3's game. The Ducks have lost the last six meetings with the Bulldogs. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com