HOBOKEN, NJ - Sophomore Chris Ryder (Port Washington, NY/Port Washington) scored a game and career-high 25 points but it wasn't enough as Stevens defeated Hartwick 71-59 on Sunday at Canavan Arena in Hoboken, NJ. The win improves the Ducks' record to 9-3 and 4-2 in the Empire 8. Hartwick slips to 5-9 and 2-4 in the conference. The Hawks maintain their position in the standings in fifth place.

Ryder hit 6-of-10 from the field and connected on all 11 attempts for the free-throw line on the day. He also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Kyle Phillips (Ashland, MA/Ashland) contributed 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. Sophomore Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep) was held to 10 points.

Bryan Franklin led Stevens with 14 points. Mike Cutri and Russ Thompson each netted 11 points for the Ducks.

Stevens took control of the game midway through the opening half. After a Blazek jumper with 11:59 to play, the Ducks used an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to grab a 25-10 advantage and went into the locker room up by 18 points, 41-23.

The Ducks' lead reached 21 points (56-35) with 13 minutes left in the game before the Hawks mounted a comeback. A 13-2 Hartwick run over a seven-minute span cut the deficit to single-digits, 62-53, with 2:15 showing on the clock. Ryder keyed the spurt with nine of 'Wick's 13 points. Unfortunately for the Hawks, nine points was as close as they'd get as Stevens went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch to close out the win.

The Hawks shot 44% from the field as a team in the contest. Stevens shot slightly better at 45%. The Ducks won the rebounding battle 39-25.

Hartwick is back in action next Saturday, January 16th. The Hawks host Utica at 4 p.m. at Lambros Arena.