Dec. 29, 2003

Stony Brook, N.Y. -

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Stony Brook returns home to host Brown on Tuesday night in its final non-conference tuneup of the 2003-04 season. The Seawolves look to snap a two-game losing streak before conference play opens up this weekend against Northeastern and Maine. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

Media: Radio: WUSB 90.1; Internet: audio can be accessed at www.goseawolves.org

About the Bears: The Bears have lost five straight after a 74-71 loss to Wright State on Sunday. The game marks Brown's second meeting with an America East team in 2003. The Bears dropped a 79-69 decision to Maine earlier this season. Jaime Kilburn is Brown's top gun, leading the team in scoring (12.6) and rebounding (7.9) entering this week's action. Patrick Powers is Brown's only other player averaging in double figures (11.0). The Bears are 0-5 away from home in 2003.

About the Seawolves: The Seawolves slipped to 3-5 following an 82-64 loss to Boston College last Tuesday. Stony Brook has given up 80 or more points in its last two outings after entering last week's action as the top scoring defense in the America East. D.J. Munir has been carrying the offensive load for SB, leading the team with an 18.4 points per game average. The starting lineup against Brown will feature two new faces. Freshman Mike Popoko will earn his first career start at the small forward spot while senior Mike Konopka makes his first start since a March 1 America East quarterfinal game against Hartford. Konopka scored 12 points against Boston College last week.

Brown vs. Stony Brook: Stony Brook holds a 2-1 series edge over Brown. The last meeting between the two teams took place on December 22, 2001 when the Bears posted an 87-60 win. In that game, Brown's Mike Martin poured in 21 points and Jaime Kilburn added 11 points and nine rebounds.

He's Hot:Two-time All-America East selection D.J. Munir is dare we say, on fire. The captain has averaged 25.8 points per game in the last four outings and has connected on 37 of his last 59 shots (.627) to skyrocket up the conference scoring charts. He now ranks third in the conference in scoring at 18.4 points per game. He now has five 30-point games to his credit, making him one of only three players in school history to score 30 or more points in a game on at least five occasions. Emeka Smith (13 times) and Charlie Bryant (six times) are the other two players that did so -- both at the Division III level.

The Rookie: Freshman Mitchell Beauford was named America East Co-Rookie of the Week on Monday. The rookie scored a season-high 15 points and added six steals in last week's game at Boston College. It is the second time this season that he has earned the honor, the other coming back on November 25.

4 x 4: How hot is D.J.? Here is a look at Munir's first four games compared to his last four games: First 4: 13-48 (.270), 44 pts, 11.0 ppg. Last 4: 37-59 (.627), 103 pts, 25.8 ppg. His hot shooting places him second in the conference in field goal percentage (.467) behind last year's America East Player of the Year Taylor Coppenrath (.479). Munir also ranks first in three-point field goal percentage (.429).

Closing In On 1,300: Munir enters Tuesday's game with 1,277 career points and is only 23 points away from becoming the seventh player in school history to score at least 1,300 points. Munir currently ranks seventh on the SB all-time scoring list. Next up on the list is Larry Tillery who finished with 1,372 career points.

Versus The Ivy League: Stony Brook is 7-7 all-time versus the Ivy League. The Seawolves have split a pair of games against Ivy League opponents this year, knocking off Dartmouth and falling to Columbia in overtime.

Home Sweet Home?: The Seawolves have lost three straight at the Indoor Sports Complex, the last being an 80-75 overtime setback to Columbia. The last time SB lost three in a row at home was back in the 2001-02 season.

Where Has The D Gone?: Stony Brook has lost its last two primarily on the defensive end. In both games Stony Brook shot over 46 percent from the field but yielded 80 or more points while allowing its opponents to shoot 62-for-104 (.596).

Thou Shall Steal: Beauford put on quite a defensive performance against Boston College. The rookie set a new season-high with six steals against the Eagles.

More Freshman Help: Classmate Mike Popoko is also off to a good start in his first season. "Pop" is averaging 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting a solid 45 percent from the field.

Konopka Makes His Presence Felt: Senior Mike Konopka had his best game of the season against BC. In his third appearance since his return from a back injury, Konopka scored 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting. It was his first double-digit scoring effort since last February 19 when he netted 11 at Hartford.