Men's Basketball Drops Conference Opener To Binghamton, 60-52

Dec. 29, 2001

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Binghamton used a 29-10 edge in free throw attempts to lead to a 60-52 victory over Stony Brook at the SBU Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon. The game was the America East Conference opener for both teams.

The Bearcats (4-6, 1-0 America East) went to the line 17 times in just the first half alone, connecting on 11 en route to a 30-27 edge at halftime. Meanwhile, the Seawolves (1-11, 0-1 America East) struggled from the field early on, scoring just nine points in the first 10 minutes of the game. However, Stony Brook managed to take the lead for the first time when Mike Orfini hit four straight free throws for a 13-11 advantage. A Lamar Johnson three-pointer made it 27-23 Stony Brook, but BU's Jeffrey St. Fort nailed a trey of his own to bring the Bearcats within one. Binghamton took the lead for good with a St. Fort free throw at the 1:38 mark and closed the half with a fast break lay-up for the 30-27 halftime lead.

The Seawolves tied the game for the sixth time of the afternoon when D.J. Munir's jumper evened the score at 38-38 with 13:44 remaining. But that would be as close as Stony Brook would get, as the Bearcats built the lead to as many as 12. Anthony Green's lay-up stretched the Binghamton lead to 58-46 with just under five minutes left, and the Seawolves got no closer than the final margin of eight, 60-52.

Both teams struggled offensively, with the Bearcats hitting just 20-of-57 shots (35 percent) and Stony Brook connecting on 21-of-52 field goals (40 percent).

Munir led Stony Brook with 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Larry Jennings chipped in with seven points and two rebounds in his first game this season after recuperating from a broken left foot.

For the Bearcats, it was St. Fort leading the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Andrew Hannan and Stanley Ocitti contributed 10 points apiece.

The loss snaps Stony Brook's 13-game winning streak at the Sports Complex.

The Seawolves return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 2, when they face Vermont on the road. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

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