HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 4, 2012) – Junior guard Sheldon Jones (Queens, N.Y.) became the 17th player in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points, and Stevens Institute of Technology moved to 18-4 overall and 9-2 in the Empire with a 90-74 rout of Alfred University in Saturday men's basketball action at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J. Jones led all scorers with 20 points as the Ducks opened a double-digit lead seven minutes in and never looked back.

Stevens played a near-flawless first half running out to a 17-7 lead 7:03 into the game as Jones tallied Stevens' first eight points by converting his first three shots and two free throws of the night.

Up 12 with less than 11 minutes to play in the half, Stevens went on a 10-2 spurt to open up a 31-11 margin behind five points from sophomore guard Matt Skrelja (Clark, N.J.). The Stevens lead swelled to as much as 27 after Jones' 12th point of the first half and the Ducks eventually headed into the locker room up 52-25. 

Stevens shot 65.5 percent from the field and hit 11 of their 13 attempts from the free-throw line in the first period. Smith was the high-man in, scoring 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
The Stevens lead moved to 31 after a Jones layup made it 58-27 with 17:26 remaining, and the largest margin ended up being 32 on a pair of occasions, the last coming with 14:18 left on a Jones three-pointer from the right wing. The junior's 1,000th came with 10:50 in the second on a jumper from the right baseline following a nice look from sophomore forward Kevin McManamy (Charlotte, N.C.). 

Head Coach Bobby Hurley (Hoboken, N.J.) began to empty his bench after that basket and allowed his reserves to take the win home. The Ducks received strong contributions from much of the bench. Sophomore guard Phil DeSeignora (Boston, Mass.) gave Stevens eight points, while freshman forward Nick Makris (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) contributed five points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Andrew Meszaros (Phoenixville, Pa.) continued the solid, reliable play he has given Stevens all season, scoring six, handing out a pair of helpers and pulling down two boards.

Stevens was led by Jones' game-high 20. He also tallied three assists and two rebounds. Senior co-captain Simon Smith (Cranford, N.J.) finished with his 17th double-double of the season, scoring 17 and grabbing 10 boards. Skrelja had 11 points, three helpers and three boards, while junior guard Russ Thompson (West Orange, N.J.) finished with six points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a strong performance. Senior guard Michael Cutri (West Caldwell, N.J.) notched a team-high three thefts and scored seven points.

The Ducks shot 55 percent (33-for-60) from the field and 7-for-16 (43.8 percent) from three. Stevens hit 17 of its 25 attempts at the line and ended the game with a 41-35 edge on the glass. As a team, Stevens handed out 24 assists (16 turnovers) and had 12 steals.

Senior guard Josh Parker (Tonawanda, N.Y.) led the Saxons (13-8, 5-6 Empire 8) with 17 points. Senior forward Derek Lewis (Horseheads, N.Y.) had 16 points as Alfred shot 39.4 percent (26-for-66) from the field and 6-for-20 (30 percent) from three. 

Stevens maintained a double-digit lead for the final 32:57 of game time and never trailed. The Ducks scored 40 points in the paint and received 29 points from the bench.
Stevens has welcomed three current team members to the 1,000 point club this season in Smith, Cutri and Jones.

The Ducks and Hartwick College remain tied for first in the Empire 8 standings at 9-2. Nazareth College is in third and Ithaca College checks in fourth. Stevens has three conference road games remaining at St. John Fisher College (February 10), Nazareth (February 11) and Hartwick (February 18). The Ducks have already clinched a berth in the Empire 8 Championship semifinals which will be played on February 24.