HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 19, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team downed William Paterson University, 63-52, to win the Stevens Tip-Off Tournament title on Saturday night at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J. Sophomore guard Sheldon Jones (Queens, N.Y.) was named the tournament MVP after leading the Ducks in scoring both games.
The game got off to a sluggish start as each team could only muster six points over the first 8:49 of game time. The Ducks opened up a 9-6 lead after a three from sophomore guard Russ Thompson (West Orange, N.J.), but Paterson responded, with a 10-0 run over a span of 1:36 to take a 16-9 lead with 7:42 to play in the half.
The Ducks were able to chip away, outscoring the Pioneers (2-1) 10-4 over the remainder of the first half to cut the Paterson advantage to one (20-19) at the half. Stevens shot just 8-for-27 from the floor in the first period and did not get to the free-throw line.
After some back and forth over the opening moments of the second half, Stevens kicked up its defense and went on an 19-3 run over 7:28 to turn a one-point deficit (29-28) into a 15-point lead (47-32) with 7:55 to play. Freshman Matt Skrelja (Clark, N.J.) capped the run with a huge three after a nice pass from junior guard Mike Cutri (West Caldwell, N.J.) as Jones put in nine points in the game-changing spurt.
William Paterson was able to cut the Stevens lead to nine with 5:20 to play after a layup from junior guard Joey Castro (West Paterson, N.J.), but the Pioneers could not get over the hump because the Ducks were able to do enough from the line.
Stevens, which went 9-for-14 from the field in the second half went to the line 34 times in the second half, netting 24. The Ducks ended the game 17-of-41 from the floor (41.5 percent) and went 5-for-12 (41.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Stevens out-rebounded the Pioneers 38-28 and assisted on 11 of its made baskets.
Stevens was led by Jones' 17 points, two blocks, and two rebounds. Cutri was the only other player in double figures, tallying 13 points, dishing out a game-high six assists, and pulling down three rebounds. The junior also had three steals. Thompson ended the game with nine points, four boards, three assists, and two steals, while sophomore newcomer Kevin McManamy (Charlotte, N.C.) was solid with seven points, seven rebounds, and a block. Senior center Bryan Franklin (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) scored eight points and pulled down four rebounds.
Paterson could not find an answer for the suffocating Stevens defense in the second half and ended up shooting 36.5 percent from the floor (19-of-52) and 18.8 percent from three (3-for-16). The Pioneers connect on 11 of their 19 free throws.
Senior guard Nick Allan (Colonia, N.J.) poured in a team-high 14 points for Willy P, while senior guard Gabriel Paul (Newark, N.J.), and Castro were in double figures.
Stevens will visit Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The game was originally slated for an 8 p.m. start.