Nov. 25, 2006

Final Stats

The Stony Brook University men's basketball team used an inspiring defense performance to shut down Columbia, 54-41, in New York City on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Seawolves improve to 3-2 on the season while Columbia falls to 4-2. It was the third road win of the season for the Seawolves, who managed just one road contest win last season.

"Today our defense was able to play very well against a good Columbia team,"said head coach Steve Pikiell. "It is never easy to win on the road in college basketball, but today our defense led us to victory."

Forcing 25 turnovers in the game and making 12 steals, the Seawolves relentless pressure held Columbia to 31 points below their season average, and just 17 in the second half.

The Lions shot out to a 12-6 lead after a Niko Scott three-pointer at the 11:21 mark before the Seawolves responded with a 13-5 run paced by Ricky Lucas' seven points. The teams went back and forth before Mitchell Beauford's driving jumper with :01 second left in the half gave the Seawolves a 27-24 lead heading into the locker room.

Beauford put the team on his back in the start of the second half, scoring the team's first six points to put Stony Brook up seven, 33-26, 3:06 into the second stanza. The Seawolves held onto the lead throughout the second half, using defense to thwart any Lion comeback. Columbia cut the lead the six after a lay-up by Ben Nwachukwu with 3:41 remaining. The Seawolves responded as Eddie Castellanos hit an clutch shot with one second left on the shot clock with 3:14 left in the game to seal the contest. SB went 5-of-6 from the line down the stretch to claim the 54-41 victory.

Beauford scored a game-high 18 points for Stony Brook, 14 of which came in the second half. Ricky Lucas netted 12 points in the game, all in the first half, while Eddie Castellanos recorded a career-high 10 points. Emanuel Neto had six points and a team-high six boards.

The Seawolf defense held Jon Baumann and Nwachukwu to a combined 10 points, as the pair came in averaging 29 a game. Scott led the Lions with 11 points.

The Seawolves return home to take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on Tuesday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.