UNION, N.J. (December 29, 2018)  – Junior Michael Zignorski scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball to a 67-54 victory over Kean University Saturday in a non-conference matchup at Harwood Arena.

The Jefferson, New Jersey native shot 10-for-15 from the field, including a blistering 7-of-11 from behind the arc. Zignorski's seven threes were the most by any Duck since alumnus Patrick Barron also connected on seven triples against the College of Staten Island on Dec. 1, 2016. The high-scoring guard's previous career best was 23, achieved against St. John Fisher College on Jan. 20, 2018. Zignorski also pulled down a season-high six rebounds, handed out two assists, blocked one shot and collected one steal.

Sophomore Alec DiPietrantonio joined Zignorski in reaching double figures for the Ducks, scoring 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. The Mount Laurel, New Jersey native also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Seniors Kevin Florio and Frank Amari each added eight points for the Ducks, who won their fifth straight to improve to 8-2. Stevens has won each of the last five meetings with Kean. The game marked the final non-conference game for Stevens, who finished with its most non-league wins since the 2012-13 season, when the Ducks finished with nine out-of-conference wins, although two came against Houghton College, who were in the NCAA transition process.

Jailen Jamison scored 20 points to lead Kean. Justin Watson and Jared Latane also reached double digits for the Cougars, who have dropped nine of their last 10 contests.

The matchup marked the final athletic event of 2018.

Pivotal Point

• After Zignorski scored five straight points to give the Ducks a six-point lead with 2:33 left in the first half, Watson converted a four-point play to bring the hosts within two.
• Amari made a layup and drew a foul to again create a two-possession game.
• The Staten Island, New York native sank the free throw and Coffey added two from the line before the half to give Stevens a seven-point advantage at the intermission.
• Amari capped the seven-point swing with a jumper in the lane to open second-half scoring. He finished with eight points. 

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot Kean 39.7% to 33.9%. The Ducks shot 14-for-30 in the second half in opening up as much as an 18-point lead over the final 20 minutes.
• Of its 23 field goals, 10 came from behind the arc. The 10 triples are the second-highest total this season.
• The Ducks held a 44-35 advantage on the glass. Stevens has outrebounded its opponents in eight of 10 games this season.
• Amari handed out a game-high six assists.
• The Ducks turned 14 Kean turnovers into 15 points.
• Stevens held the advantage in second-chance points (7-2) and bench points (9-2). Kean scored more points in the points (24-20) and on the fast break (18-10).
• Freshman Colin MacCullough recorded a second-half field goal for his first collegiate points.

Unsung Hero

• Senior Ryan Coffey pulled down eight boards and made a pair of critical first-half free throws. The Monroe, New York native has grabbed at least six boards on eight different occasions.

From the Court

• "I was very pleased with our performance today. We defended and got the shots that we wanted. We had great contributions from a lot of guys and Michael Zignorski stepped up and shot the ball really well." - head coach Bobby Hurley

Up Next

• Stevens opens 2019 by resuming Empire 8 Conference against Elmira College on Friday, January 4. 
• Stevens is 19-3 all-time against the Soaring Eagles, however, the teams split a pair of games one season ago.
• Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com.

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