Feb. 4, 2003
Northeastern Game Notes in PDF Format
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Stony Brook, N.Y. - The men's basketball teams puts it five-game winning streak on the line Wednesday night in a matchup of the two hottest teams in the America East conference. Stony Brook (10-9, 4-4) is on tear while the Huskies (12-10, 5-4) have won four straight to move into fifth place in the conference. Tip-off is 7 p.m.
BACKDROP:
The Seawolves and Huskies hook up in a battle between the two hottest teams in the America East Conference. SB, winners of five in row, hope to keep it going against the Huskies who have won four straight after a road loss to Stony Brook on January 22.
RADIO INFORMATION:
The game will be broadcast on the internet at www.goseawolves.org
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
SB leads the series 2-1 after a 72-67 win at home earlier this season.
EARLIER THIS YEAR:
Four Seawolves scored in double figures led by Cori Spencer's 13 points as SB recorded a 72-67 win over the Huskies. The Seawolves held a 31-25 lead at the break and built it to as much as 17 in the second half before Javorie Wilson sparked a furious NU comeback in the final three minutes. Wilson hit three treys and had the Huskies within 70-67 but Adam Drain's three-point attempt in the final seconds was off the mark. Hendrik Feist and Jairus McCollum each scored 12 in the win.
VERSUS THE AMERICA EAST:
Stony Brook posted a 5-11 record last year in its inaugural season of America East play. SB is 10-20 all time against America East teams.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Seawolves won their fifth straight game with a 77-71 win over New Hampshire on Sunday. D.J. Munir scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to help SB to a 42-38 halftime advantage. The Seawolves clamped down on defense in the second half, limiting UNH to 37 percent from the field to help build their lead. Hendrik Feist hit back-to-back threes to spark a 13-3 run midway through the half that broke open a three-point game and propelled the Seawolves to victory. Ten Seawolves found the scoring column as the team shot 50 percent from three-point land in the win.
SCOUTING NORTHEASTERN:
Jose Juan Barea leads four Huskies who average double figures in scoring. NU is the second hottest team in the league behind Stony Brook, winners of four of their last five outings. Leading rebounder Sylbrin Robinson is out after suffering a dislocated elbow in last Friday's game.
ROAD FACTS:
The Seawolves are 2-6 on the road this season as they posted their first road win since December 4 on Sunday. SB has not won back-to-back road games since January of 2001.
SCORING SURGE:
During SB's six-game losing streak, the Seawolves averaged only 54.8 points per game. In the last five victories, the Seawolves have averaged 82.2 points per game.
HEY MISTER D.J.:
All-Conference guard D.J. Munir has regained the form that made him one of the best players in the America East. The 6-3 junior knocked down 23 points, equalling his career-high with five three-pointers, to go along with five rebounds and four assists in Sunday's win. He has scored 20 or more points in two of his last three games.
INCHING TOWARDS 1,000:
Munir was sensational against Maine, scoring a season-high 25 points -- his third 20-point game this season. He followed that up with 11 against Centenary College and another 23 versus UNH. In doing so, he surpassed the 900-point plateau and now has 944 career points. He is 56 points away from becoming the 18th player in school history to score 1,000 points.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN:
The Seawolves connected on 50 percent (8-16) from three-point range against the Wildcats. Munir led the way with five treys while Hendrik Feist added two.
MORE ABOUT THE THREE:
Stony Brook's three-point prowess is an interesting story. Although Stony Brook ranks last in 3-point field goals made per game (5.16), it ranks first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.370).
BEANTOWN HAS NOT BEEN KIND:
The Seawolves are oh-for-Boston since joining the America East last year. SB has lost twice to BU and once to Northeastern in that span. Last year, SB also lost to Harvard at Levien Gymnasium.
THE MARKSMAN:
Rookie Hendrik Feist continues to impress with his shooting touch. He is now shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and a blistering 50 percent from three-point land (27-54).
WE LIKE MIKE:
Sophomore guard/forward Mike Orfini has played a big role in SB's recent surge. In the last four games, Orfini has averaged almost nine points per game, well above his 5.8 season average. He is now shooting 44.8 percent from the field.
FIVE STRAIGHT:
Tuesday's win gave Stony Brook its fifth straight victory -- its longest winning streak since SB put together seven straight during the 2000-01 season.
SAINT PATRICK:
Senior Patrick Spitler made the most of his playing time against Centenary College. Spitler drilled five three-pointers en route to a career-high 16 points. His five treys were the most made in a single game by a Seawolf this season.
PROTECTING A LEAD:
Stony Brook has learned how to protect its lead down the stretch. SBU is a perfect 9-0 when leading with five minutes to go in the game.
JEKYLL AND HYDE:
The month of January was a strange one for the Seawolves. SB dropped its first four contests and bounced back to win its last four.
GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY:
The Seawolves sport a 10-9 record after 19 games, a far cry from the 3-16 mark from one year ago. SB has put together four straight conference wins, the first time that has happened since it joined the America East last season.
CLIMBING OVER .500:
The Seawolves 10-9 mark puts them over .500 for the first time since December 23 when they were 5-4.It would also level the Seawolves conference record at 4-4 -- SB has never been .500 in conference play.
