Center Valley, PA (January 17, 2024) - Senior
Will Bowen hit a three-pointer from the right wing with 1.6 seconds left breaking a tie at 60 giving the DeSales University men's basketball team a 63-60 win over Stevens in MAC Freedom action on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.
The Basics
- Final Score: DeSales - 63, Stevens - 60
- Records: DeSales (14-2, 5-0 MAC Freedom); Stevens (12-4, 3-2 MAC Freedom)
- This was DSU's 11th straight win on the season as they remain the only unbeaten team in the MAC Freedom after five games.
- DeSales is 9-2 all-time vs. the Ducks winning its sixth straight in the series.
How it Happened
- The Bulldogs were on fire from the very start in this one hitting four three-pointers in the first four minutes, including two by Bowen, to take a 14-4 lead early.
- The lead was eight with 4:13 left in the half but was doubled after a lay-up from senior Elijah Eberly and two triples from senior Jordan Holmqvist at the 1:23 mark of the opening half.
- Stevens scored the final four points of the half as the Bulldogs held a 38-26 lead at the break.
- DeSales remained in control to start the second-half pushing its lead up to 18 points (48-30) at the 15:29 mark.
- Eight straight points from the Ducks made it a 10-point game and it was a nine-point lead for DeSales after a driving lay-up from senior Mason Barnes with 6:05 left.
- The Bulldogs went ice cold from there scoring just one free throw over the next 6:04 as Stevens used a 10-1 run to tie the game at 60 with 1:20 remaining.
- After multiple stops by both teams, DeSales had possession with 20.6 seconds left (20 on the shot clock).
- Out of a timeout, Barnes held the ball at the top of the key till there was about 10 seconds left on the shot clock, drove right around a screen by senior Caleb Gibbs, and kicked out to Bowen on the right wing for a great look at a three-pointer that hit nothing but net with 1.6 seconds showing on the clock when the ball went thru the net.
- After multiple timeouts, a hail mary pass was picked by Eberly as time ran out and DeSales escaped with the win.
Top Bulldog Performers
- Bowen finished with a team-high 15 points, hitting three 3's.
- Barnes added 11 points and handed out a game-high nine assists, including one on the game-winner.
- Eberly came off the bench to score 10 points and Holmqvist had nine off the bench.
- Senior Caleb Gibbs had six points and 10 rebounds.
For the Foes
- Stephen Braunstein led all scorers with 19 points.
- Jack Spellman had a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, adding four blocked shots.
- Kyle Maddison had 12 points off the pine.
Inside the Box Score
- DeSales hit eight three-pointers in the first-half, but just one (the game-winner) in the second-half.
- DSU finished the game shooting 48.9 percent from the field.
- The Bulldogs out-rebounding Stevens, 35-22, but the Ducks had a 16-5 advantage in second chance points, scoring those 16 points off just nine offensive rebounds.
- Stevens also scored 18 of its 60 points off 15 DeSales turnovers and had an 18-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
Up Next
- DeSales puts its unblemished conference record on the line next on Saturday traveling to Delaware Valley University for a MAC Freedom game beginning at 3:00 pm.
