The Stony Brook Seawolves mens basketball team claimed the number one position in the America East Conference in their victory over the University of Vermont Catamounts on Feb.15.
Coming off a home victory over Binghamton University three days before, the Seawolves entered the game with a 9-2 record in conference play. The Catamounts record was at 9-3 following a three-game winning streak.
Vermont outscored the Seawolves 8-6 over the first four minutes of play. Catamounts guard Ethan O’Day contributed two quick baskets to extend their lead.
The next several minutes featured extended scoring runs by both teams. The Seawolves gained momentum, going on an 8-0 run to take a 14-8 lead; guards Marcus Rouse and Dave Coley both added three-point shots of their own. After a five-point possession by Vermont narrowed its deficit to one point, Rouse hit consecutive treys to extend the Seawolves’ lead to 20-13.
Unfazed, Vermont quickly came within one point with 9:57 remaining after guard Trey Blue hit back-to-back three-pointers.
The Seawolves responded with a 7-0 scoring spurt that culminated with a long trey by forward Tommy Brenton. Coley hit a jumper as time expired in the first half, and the Seawolves took a 35-29 lead into the locker room.
Stony Brook’s Rouse led all scorers with 11 points off the bench in the first half, hitting four of his five field goal attempts, including all three of his shots from beyond the arc. Brenton also had a solid half, scoring nine points, while contributing two rebounds and two assists. Blue led the Catamounts over the first 20 minutes with nine points.
Consecutive baskets by forward Jameel Warney gave Stony Brook its first double-digit lead of the game, 39-29, at the beginning of the second half.
Though Vermont forward Brian Voelkel converted a dunk of his own, the Seawolves responded with an alley-oop throw down by forward Eric McAlister and a corner trey by guard Anthony Jackson. Jackson’s basket gave Stony Brook a 44-31 lead 3:46 into the second half.
Vermont guard Luke Apfeld hit a three-point shot, cutting the visitors’ deficit to 44-34. The Seawolves then proceeded to take control of the game with an 11-0 run, during which the Catamounts committed three turnovers and missed all seven of their shots. A conventional three-point play by guard Sandro Carissimo ended Vermont’s drought with 10:42 remaining in the game.
Consecutive foul shots by Stony Brook’s Warney with 7:13 remaining broke a 6-0 Vermont run and gave the Seawolves a 57-40 lead.
Stony Brook cruised to a 65-48 victory.
With 16 points, Rouse was the high scorer of the game, followed closely by Brenton with 13 points. Warney had a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Carissimo led Vermont with 14 points. 13 turnovers proved fatal for the Catamounts.
The Seawolves improve to 19-6 overall and 10-2 in America East play with this victory, gaining sole possession of first place in the conference. The team finishes its current three-game home stand against the University of Maryland Baltimore County at 7 p.m. on February 19.
