UNION, N.J. (November 29, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men’s basketball team earned its fourth consecutive victory with a tight, 80-77 road win at Kean University on Monday night at Harwood Arena in Union, N.J. The Ducks (4-1) were led by a team-high 22 points from junior guard Mike Cutri, as four players were in double figures for the second time in as many games. Sophomore guard Sheldon Jones had a strong all-around game with 20 points and seven assists. The contest began with five ties in the first 5:43 of game time and neither team was able to gain any more than a four-point edge for the first 10:08.
Eventually, the Ducks jumped out to the first lead of any significance, going on an 12-4 spurt over a span of 4:49 midway through the opening half to take a 25-18 edge with 8:32 to play after Jones converted a three-point play. That seven-point Duck cushion was short lived as Kean (2-2) responded with a 12-0 run of its own to open up its largest lead of the game at 30-25 with 5:42 to go in the opening 20.
The Ducks battled back with an 8-0 run towards the end of the half but junior guard Ali Mix (West Orange, N.J.) was able to tie of the score with a three-point play in the final seconds and the two teams went into the break with the score tied a 33-all.
Senior forward Jonathan Jones (Linden, N.J.), the game’s high-scorer with 28, started the second half with a dunk to give the Cougars the lead, and Kean was able to build a 47-42 advantage with 13 points in just 2:59 of action.
The Ducks weathered the hot start to the second and sliced into the Kean lead with a Jones three-point play and a layup from senior captain Bryan Franklin to tie the game at 47 with 15:47 to go.
Kean was able to build its advantage back to five, but the Ducks would not back down, getting big shots and big plays when they needed them. After the Cougars made it a five-point game with 14:42 remaining, Stevens clawed back, knotting things up at 56 thanks to a Cutri steal and a fast-break layup from freshman forward Patrick Sabatino.
A pair of Sabatino free throws gave the Ducks the lead with 11:38 to play and after Kean regained the advantage with 9:46 on the clock, a Cutri triple put Stevens back on top. Kean answered again, taking a 64-63 edge, but on the ensuing possession the Ducks reclaimed upper hand for good.
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