The Stevenson men’s basketball team stayed perfect on the season with a commanding 72–54 victory over Lebanon Valley on Tuesday night at Owings Mills Gymnasium. The win marks the Mustangs’ second straight 2–0 start — their first time opening consecutive seasons this way since 2013 and 2014.
The young Stevenson squad overcame a scrappy, physical game to remain composed and secure another early-season triumph in front of an energetic home crowd.
It was wild at times, it was sloppy at times, and it was certainly a rollercoaster. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, with the score sitting at just 11–9 midway through the first half. Lebanon Valley opened with a 9–2 lead before Stevenson began to settle in.
Myles Jackson sparked the offense with free throws and a driving layup, and Noah Ihezue followed with a midrange jumper and a three-pointer to put the Mustangs on top 17–15.
Head coach Jack Bors reflected on the team’s composure through the chaos.
“I think we just needed to play one play at a time. And at times that game got a little wild. You know both teams just throwing the ball at the rim, couldn’t get a shot to fall.”
The Flying Dutchmen stayed within striking distance, but a 10–3 Stevenson run — capped by a deep three from David Pridgen — gave the Mustangs a 24–22 advantage.
Christian Jackson added a pair of free throws and set up Kyle Luddy for an inside layup before Ihezue buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the right wing to end the half, igniting the Owings Mills Gymnasium crowd and giving Stevenson a 37–33 lead at the break.
Building off that momentum, the Mustangs came out swinging in the second half. Jackson powered to the rim for an early basket, Luddy followed with a put-back, and Brooks drained a three to extend the lead to double digits at 48–37 — a cushion Stevenson never relinquished.
The Mustangs’ defense clamped down from there, forcing turnovers and holding Lebanon Valley to just nine field goals in the second half.
Kendall Seguignol controlled the paint with seven rebounds, while Luddy and Jackson capitalized on second-chance opportunities to push the margin to 20 with under six minutes to play.
Jackson’s fast-break layup in the final minutes sealed the win and sent the home fans into celebration.
Jackson led all scorers with 18 points and six rebounds, while Ihezue added 13 points, two steals, and the electrifying first-half buzzer-beater.
Luddy chipped in nine points and eight boards as Stevenson dominated the glass 45–28 and held Lebanon Valley to 38% shooting.
Coach Bors emphasized the importance of growth for his young squad moving forward, adding, “My hope with this group is that we learn from the wins and we also learn from the losses.”
