HOBOKEN, N.J. (1/2/26) – All five starters finished in double-figures as the Kean University men's basketball team rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Ithaca College, 74-69 at the Stevens Holiday Tournament on Friday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED!!!

• Kean opened the contest shooting 3-12 from the field.
• The Bombers capitalized with a 23-8 run over the first 10 minutes that pushed their advantage to double digits.
• Ithaca eventually extended their lead to 16 before cruising into halftime.
• In the second half, the Bombers maintained their double-digit advantage over the first 10 minutes.
• The Cougars finally responded with a 14-4 run which gave them the lead for good at 63-62 with 4:20 remaining.
• Malachi Jeffers-Viera and Phil Brown Jr. combined for 10 points during the run.
• After extending their lead to 69-62 with 2:30 to play, the Bombers went 7-for-8 from the line and cut Kean's lead to 71-69 inside the final minute.
• Kareem Irby and Daniel Dextraze salted away the game from the line with 15 seconds remaining.  

INSIDE THE BOX

• Brown Jr. finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
• Jeffers-Viera posted 18 points and five rebounds.
• Braelen Crump notched 12 points and five rebounds.
• Dextraze totaled 11 points and nine rebounds.
• Irby totaled 10 points, four assists and four steals.

UP NEXT

• The Cougars return to Stevens tomorrow to face the host Ducks at 4:00 p.m.