Feb. 4, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. -

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The Stony Brook men's basketball team tangles with Northeastern for the second time this season on Thursday night. The Seawolves (6-13, 3-7) have lost three straight while the Huskies (13-8, 7-3) are currently in third place in the America East. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

About Northeastern: Northeastern comes to town as the most prolific scoring team in the America East at over 76 points per game. Jose Juan Barea (20.5 ppg.) and Marcus Barnes (17.7 ppg.) pace the Husky attack. Barea and Barnes ranked second and third in the league in scoring, respectively. The Huskies are deadly from long range, leading the league with an average of 8.6 3-pointers per game.

About the Seawolves: Stony Brook has lost five of its last six and 10 of its last 13 entering Thursday night's game against Northeastern. The Seawolves have lost two straight at home and are hoping to get back on the winning track against the Huskies. Cori Spencer and D.J. Munir have been the top two offensive threats for Stony Brook since conference play began. Freshman Mike Popoko has been outstanding as well and is coming off a 15-point, five rebound effort against Maine.

Northeastern Vs. Stony Brook: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 3-2. The Seawolves swept the season series last year but Northeastern bounced back to grab the first meeting between the two teams this season. Since joining the America East, SB is 2-0 at home against Northeastern.

Earlier This Season: Northeastern won the first matchup between the two teams earlier this season as the Huskies defended their home court with an 82-63 victory. Marcus Barnes scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, as NU shot 54 percent for the game. Jose Juan Barea finished with 18 points. D.J. Munir led Stony Brook scorers with 18 points.

One Way Or The Other: The Stony Brook-Northeastern matchups have rarely been close. In fact, the five meetings between the two teams have yielded an average margin of victory of 16.6 points. The closest game between the two squads was a 72-67 Stony Brook triumph on January 22 of last year. The previous five games: 1/2/04 at NU 82, Stony Brook 63 2/5/03 Stony Brook 78, Northeastern 60 1/22/03 at Stony Brook 72, NU 67 2/17/02 at Stony Brook 85, NU 70 1/10/02 at NU 91, Stony Brook 65

Making A Point: Having lost five of six and three in a row, there will be a shakeup in the backcourt on Thursday night. Senior D.J. Munir earns his first start at point guard this season, a position he occupied during his first two years in a Seawolf uniform. Rookie Mitchell Beauford will start at the two guard for the first time this year.

A Tale Of Two Halves: In 10 conference games, SB has given up an average of 29.9 points in the first half. The Seawolves have yielded an average of 36.3 points in the second half.