Nov. 24, 2004

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Mike Popoko scored 16 points and Mitchell Beauford added 14 as Stony Brook cruised to a 68-54 victory over Army on Wednesday night at the Sports Complex. With the win, the Seawolves improved to 1-1 on the season, while the Black Knights fell to 0-3.

The Seawolves jumped out to an early 15-7 lead fueled by a 7-0 run capped by a Bobby Santiago layup with 12:27 remaining in the first half. Stony Brook stretched its lead to 14 in the closing seconds on a Jairus McCollum basket and a pair of free throws by Cori Spencer to take a 37-23 lead at the break.

The Seawolves came out shooting in the second, using a 14-4 run to take a 51-27 lead just under five minutes into the second stanza. Army cut the lead to 21 two minutes later, but a three-point play by JonPaul Kobryn followed by a layup by Mike Orfini gave the Seawolves a 26-point edge, their largest of the contest, to put the game well out of reach.

Popoko led all scorers with 16 points, 11 coming in the first half. Beauford added 14 points, while Santiago chipped in with 11 points, four assists and three steals.

Matt Bell led Army with 16 points, while Colin Harris added nine points and a team-best seven boards.

The Seawolves return to action on Saturday when they travel to take on Columbia at 2:00 p.m.