Jan. 25, 2007

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Despite holding a 14-point first half lead, the Stony Brook University men's basketball team fell to Maine, 74-66, on Thursday evening at the Stony Brook University Arena. With the loss, the Seawolves fall to 7-13, 2-6 while the Black Bears improve to 9-11, 4-4, winners of four straight.

"Once again, our defense couldn't make stops in the second half," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "We got a great performance from our big man Manu Neto but were not able to capitalize on it."

The Seawolves couldn't miss in the first half as they shot out to a 22-8 lead with 9:34 left in the first half after a Mitchell Beauford lay-up. From that point on, the Black Bears surged ahead to cut the lead to just two at the half as they went on a 17-5 run to close out the first stanza. Kevin Reed had nine points in the run for the Black Bears.

It didn't take long for the Black Bears to take their first lead of the game as Reed's conventional three-point play 28 seconds in the second half gave the visitors a 28-27 lead. Maine would eventually open up the second half on an 11-1 run, grabbing a 36-28 advantage and never looking back. Shooting 65% in the half, the Black Bears scored 49 points in the second half and lead by as much as 14 on their way to victory. The Seawolves got as close as five after a Beauford three-point play with 17:03 to play.

Ricky Lucas led all scorers as he pumped in 22 points, going 5-of-9 from downtown. Emanuel Neto recorded the second-best rebounding performance in the Seawolves' Division I era as he grabbed 16 boards to go along with 13 points. Beauford added 12 points. The Seawolves dominated the glass, holding a 46-28 advantage. The Seawolves nearly had as many offensive rebounds as the Black Bears had total boards, with SB grabbing 27.

Reed led four Black Bears in double figures as he netted 21 points. Junior Bernal scored 19 points and Chris Bruff and Phil Tchekane Bofia each had 10 points.

Neto and Bernal were named the America East Players of the Game.

The Seawolves take on the Vermont Catamounts on Sunday, January 28. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.