After starting the season with a 3-3 record, Stevens has won 13 of its last 14 games. The Ducks, who are 8-0 at home this season, are also currently riding a seven-game win streak following the victory over the Privateers.
Maritime (3-17, 2-9 Skyline) controlled most of the play in the first half and led 41-31 with 19:07 to go in the game following a jumper by junior forward Michael Stolberg (Bayside, N.Y.). Gray answered right back for the Ducks with a three-pointer to spark a 14-2 run in the span of 4:32. Gray capped the spurt with a three-point play to put Stevens on top 45-43 with 14:27 remaining.
With the Ducks leading 51-48 with less than nine minutes to go in the game, junior guard Waleed Farid (Woodside, N.Y.) and Gray scored back-to-back lay-ups to put Stevens up by seven (55-48) with just under eight minutes left on the clock. The Ducks maintained at least a five-point lead throughout the remainder of the game. Stevens sealed the victory by scoring nine of the final 10 points over the last four minutes of the contest.
During the second half, the Ducks out-scored the Privateers 37-16. Stevens also limited Maritime to 19.4 percent (6-for-31) from the floor and 7.1 percent (1-for-14) from downtown after intermission.
Farid finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for the Ducks. Senior guard Floyd Morris (East Windsor, N.J.) collected a game-high nine assists to go along with seven rebounds and five points. Senior forward Michael Collins (Bronx, N.Y.) had six points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 5:30 left in the game. Freshman guard Matt Higgins (Freehold, N.J.) provided a spark off the bench with nine points, three rebounds and two steals. Higgins shot 4-for-6 from the field in 18 minutes of action.
Sophomore guard/forward Timothy Dougherty (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) led Maritime with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Stolberg posted 11 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Joseph Bracaglia (Jamaica, N.Y.) added 12 points.
Saturday’s game against Old Westbury could go a long way in determining the top seed for the upcoming Skyline tournament. Pending the result of the Panthers’ game against the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Stevens and Old Westbury could enter the contest tied atop the Skyline Conference. Saturday’s game will be carried live at www.duckcast.com.