Nov. 30, 2006

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The Associated Press Contributed to the article

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (AP) -Shane Clark hit consecutive 3-pointers to cap Villanova's game-opening 15-2 run and the Wildcats went on to a 72-44 victory over Stony Brook on Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd of 4,285.

"What a tremendous atmosphere there was in our arena tonight," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "We played a very good Villanova team tonight and we did not play our best basketball. We are a program that is continuing to improve."

Curtis Sumpter had 14 points for the Wildcats (5-1), who led 42-18 at halftime in improving to 3-0 all time against Stony Brook with an average margin of victory of 31 points.

Clark finished with 11 points and Dante Cunningham added 10 for Villanova.

Andre Vanterpool, Mitchell Beauford and Ryan Jones each had eight points for the Seawolves (3-4), who were playing in front of a sellout crowd of 4,285, just the second ever at the 16-year-old Indoor Sports Complex. Jones was tabbed the America East Player of the Game after he tallied a career-best eight points.

It was the first time back on Long Island for Villanova coach Jay Wright, who compiled a 122-85 record in seven seasons at Hofstra.

Clark's 3s made it 15-2 about 5 1/2 minutes into the game. Sumpter, Scottie Reynolds and Clark then hit consecutive 3s for the Wildcats, whose biggest lead in the first half was 28 points, the last time at 42-14 on a layup by Sumpter with 1:49 to go.

Villanova shot 50 percent from the field in the first half (16-for-32), hitting six 3s to match that mark from beyond the arc.

The Seawolves couldn't keep up with the bigger and faster Wildcats, and shot 33 percent (9-for-27) in the opening half, committed 12 turnovers and were outrebounded 23-12.