Dec. 4, 2004

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Mitchell Beauford scored 16 points and Cori Spencer put up 14 points and 10 rebounds as Stony Brook rallied to a 56-49 win over Lehigh Saturday afternoon at the Indoor Sports Complex. The win improved Stony Brook to 3-2 while Lehigh fell to 3-3.

Trailing 32-30 at halftime, the Seawolves defense took over. Lehigh made only 2 of 31 shots in the second half, the first coming with just 1:51 left in the game. While the defense kept Lehigh off the scoreboard, Beauford rallied the Brook, getting them even at 34 with 14:34 to go. He followed with a layup at the 12:14 mark as part of a 11-3 run that gave the Seawolves a 43-37 advantage.

The Mountain Hawks did not go away and made it interesting with less than two minutes to go. Jose Olivero drained a 3-pointer to slice SB's lead to 46-45. SB's Bobby Santiago responded with three-point play of his own as he hit a running layup down the lane while being fouled. He converted the free throw and the Seawolves were up for good 49-45.

Stony Brook got off to a bad start in the first half as Lehigh jumped out to an 11-0 lead sparked by Olivero's nine points during that stretch. Mike Popoko's hoop stopped the run at the 13:53 mark of the first half.

With Lehigh ahead 21-10, the Seawolves closed the half on a 20-11 spurt fueled by the post play of Cori Spencer. He scored 12 of his 14 first-half points during the run to pull Stony Brook within a basket at the break.

Beauford has now scored in double figures in four straight games while Spencer's double-double was the first of the season. Popoko also turned in a solid effort with nine points and a game-high 11 boards. Jairus McCollum had six points, five boards and two steals off the bench.

Stony Brook is back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to take on Rhode Island. Tip-off is 7:30 pm and the game will be carried live on WUSB 90.1 FM.