Jan. 9, 2007

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook University men's basketball team clamped down on defense and defeated the Binghamton Bearcats, 67-55, at the Stony Brook University Arena on Tuesday night. The win snaps the Seawolves three-game skid and brings their record to 6-9, 1-2 in America East play. The Bearcats fall to 8-7, 1-2.

"Tonight I thought our defense was able to create turnovers against a good basketball team," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "Ricky Lucas was very good for us tonight and Solomon Bamiro gave us a great spark off the bench."

With the Seawolves holding a two-point advantage at 52-50 with 7:32 left in the game, Stony Brook closed out the game on a 13-5 run to seal the victory. Bamiro and Kyle Wright each had five points in the run. For the third-straight game the Seawolves led at the half, however this time the Seawolves took advantage for the first time in conference play of sealing the game in the second half. Trailing 29-25 at the half, Binghamton shot out of the locker room on a 5-0 run to retake a 30-29 lead. After a three-pointer from Richard Forbes gave the Bearcats a 48-46 lead at the 9:47 mark, Ricky Lucas answered right back with a pair of threes of his own, regaining the lead for SB.

The Bearcats opened up the game on a 5-0 run sparked by a three-pointer by Troy Hailey as the Seawolves struggled from the field early. The Seawolves took their first lead of the game at the 11:37 mark when Lucas hit a jumper in the right corner to go up 11-10. Up 21-19 the Bearcats regained the lead when they went on a 11-8 run, capped off by a pair of free throws by Proctor. Stony Brook closed out the half on a 10-4 run sparked by a pair of three-pointers from Lucas. Binghamton hung around in the first half despite 15 turnovers as they were able to go 5-of-11 from downtown.

The Bearcats were sloppy with the ball as they committed 20 turnovers in the game, 15 which came in the first stanza. Stony Brook converted the turnovers into 17 points in the game.

Lucas, the America East Player of the Game, netted a game-high 21 points, including 15 points the first half to lead the way for Stony Brook. Mike Popoko scored in double-figures for the fifth-straight game as he pumped in 11 points and a team-high eight boards. Bamiro was terrific off the bench as he tallied a career-high 14 points and added four boards and a pair of steals. Eddie Castellanos was solid at the point, directing the offense with five assists, five points, and a steal. Wright had his best performance in the Seawolf Red as he scored seven points and chipped in with three rebounds and a steal.

Troy Hailey was the AE Player of the Game for the Bearcats as he tallied 12 points while Richard Forbes added 14.

The Seawolves return to action when they hit the road to take on Hartford on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. in West Hartford, Conn.