ELMIRA, N.Y. (January 7, 2012) – Senior guard Michael Cutri (West Caldwell, N.J.) scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team to a convincing 80-44 win over Elmira College on Saturday afternoon in Elmira, N.Y. With the win, Stevens improves to 2-0 in the Empire 8 and 10-2 overall. The Ducks are now 6-0 on the road and have won their last five contests.
After struggling from the field at Alfred University on Friday night, less than 18 hours later the Ducks came out firing, shooting almost 53 percent from the field in the first half against the Soaring Eagles. Stevens hit five three-pointers and received 17 and 15 points from Cutri and Jones, respectively.
Stevens quickly opened up at 10-point lead at 17-7 following a layup from junior forward Simon Smith (Cranford, N.J.) a little more than eight minutes into the action and that advantage swelled to 24 at the intermission.
Following their first double-digit deficit of the afternoon, Elmira was able to get back within six courtesy of a three-ball from freshman guard Neil Randolph (Wicklow, Ireland), but the Ducks went on to outscore the hosts 28-10 over the period's final 9:42 to make it a 46-22 game going into the locker room. Stevens grabbed 23 of the 34 first-half rebounds, including 11 on the offensive glass.
The Soaring Eagles (0-12, 0-2 Empire 8) cut the margin to 21 (50-29) about five minutes into the second half, but the Ducks quickly erased any doubts, extending their lead to 30 after a layup from sophomore forward Max Schwartz (Bridgewater, N.J.) at the 11-minute mark.
The 36-point win was Stevens' second 30-plus point win in three games as the Ducks downed Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 127-83 on Monday.
Stevens ended shooting 33-for-61 from the floor (54.1 percent) and 7-for-15 from three (46.7 percent). The Soaring Eagles were 17-for-53 from the field (32.1 percent) and 4-for-25 from long range (16.0 percent). Stevens ended with a 44-24 rebounding advantage and committed a season-low seven turnovers.
Cutri had 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting (3-for-4 from three) and six rebounds. Junior guard Sheldon Jones (Queens, N.Y.) had 15 points (7-for-11) and six rebounds as well, while Smith had 13 points and four rebounds. Of the 16 players on the roster, 15 scored points.
Elmira was led by 13 points from sophomore forward Chris Cassidy (Colts Neck, N.J.).
Stevens will return home Friday night for an Empire 8 battle with Utica College. Game-time is slated for 8 p.m. from the Canavan Arena and all the action will be webcast live at www.Empire8.tv.
***www.StevensDucks.com***