Jan. 23, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. -

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The Stony Brook men's basketball team hits the road this weekend for a Sunday matchup in Binghamton, N.Y. Stony Brook (6-10, 3-4) and Binghamton (7-11, 3-4) are both coming off wins as the two teams meet for the first time this year. Tip-off is 1 p.m.

Media: Radio: WLIE 540 AM

About Binghamton: Binghamton registered an impressive road win over Northeastern on Wednesday night. Seven-footer Nick Billings powers the Bearcats, leading the team in both scoring (12.4 ppg.) and rebounding (6.5 rpg.). Rookie Troy Hailey mans the point guard spot and is averaging 10.1 points per game.

About the Seawolves: Stony Brook edged Albany 65-61 in overtime on Friday night. The Seawolves led 40-22 at the half, but shot only 22 percent and scored only 15 points in the second half as Albany rallied to send the game to overtime. Cori Spencer had four points in the extra session to lead the Seawolves.

Binghamton vs. Stony Brook: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 24-12. The two teams split the season series last year as each team defended its home court. SB won a double overtime thriller at the Brook and Albany posted a win in the state capital. Since the move to Division I, SB holds a 4-3 series edge. A look at the Division I matchups: 2/26/03 at Stony Brook 77, Binghamton 70 1/11/03 at Binghamton 64, Stony Brook 59 1/15/02 Stony Brook 66, at Binghamton 62 12/29/01 Binghamton 60, at Stony Brook 52 11/24/01 Binghamton 53, Stony Brook 51 (Red Auerbach Classic in Wash. D.C.) 2/24/01 at Stony Brook 66, Binghamton 56 1/13/01 Stony Brook 81, at Binghamton 62

Last Year: D.J. Munir was SB's top gun against the Bearcats last season. He averaged 24 points per game in the two matchups, including a 31-point barrage in SB's 77-70 home win.

Ahead At The Half: Stony Brook led Albany 40-22 at the break on Wednesday. It was the first time in the previous 10 games that the Brook has been ahead at the half. SB has led at the half in only four if its 16 games this season.

Double Your Pleasure: Freshman Mike Popoko continues to make people stand up and take notice. The rookie recorded his first career double-double against Albany with 12 points and 11 rebounds. It was SB's first double-double this season. Popoko has been a terror on the boards in his last three games, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game in that stretch. In conference play, Popoko leads the team in rebounding at a 6.1 clip while putting in 7.7 points per outing. He leads the team in offensive rebounds with 33. Popoko is the first freshman to record a double-double at the Division I level since D.J. Munir had 16 points and 10 assists against Navy on January 6, 2001.

Pop Goes For The Freshman Record: Popoko, who ranks second in the league among freshman, is also on track to break the SB Division I single-season freshman record for rebounds. The record is 97, which was set by Jairus McCollum during the 2000-01 season. Popoko enters this weekend's action with 85 rebounds this year.

Working Overtime: The Seawolves have now played two overtime games this year and are 1-1 in those contests. SB fell to Columbia 80-75 back on December 20.

We Like Mike: Senior Mike Konopka turned in a solid effort against Albany with 13 points and eigth rebounds. He has scored in double figures in six of eight games since his return to the starting lineup.

Big Man On Campus: Cori Spencer has been a force under the basket for the Seawolves since conference play began. He is averaging 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in those games and ranks among the league leaders in several categories. In conference action, Spencer ranks fourth in both points per game and field goal percentage (.515). Spencer also uses his muscle to get to the free throw line. In seven conference games, he has gone to the free throw line 47 times.

Second Half Bricks: The Seawolves have been off the mark in the second half in the last two games. Against Hartford, SB shot only 29 percent from the field -- 33 percent for the game. On Wednesday against Albany, SB connected on only 22 percent (six field goals) in the second half while scoring only 15 points. SB had only four field goals in the second half against Maine on January 4.