CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Stony Brook men's basketball team took on the stingiest squad in the NCAA on Wednesday night. And although the Seawolves came up short on the homecourt of the reigning national champion, they again went toe-to-toe with a nationally acclaimed opponent.

Ninth-ranked Virginia defeated Stony Brook, 56-44, at John Paul Jones Arena.

Like at Providence on Saturday, Stony Brook found itself trailing by double digits early in the first half. Also like the game against the Friars, the Seawolves clawed back. And when native Virginian Miles Latimer drained a three-pointer before the buzzer, Stony Brook had pulled within 28-21 entering the locker room despite head coach Geno Ford lamenting 11 first-half turnovers.

The Seawolves then moved as close as four points in the second half — on Mouhamadou Gueye's three-pointer with 11:03 remaining and again on Makale Foreman's trey with 7:50 to go. However, the Cavaliers (9-1) avoided the upset bid and restored a double-digit advantage late.

Virginia entered the game leading the nation in opponent points per game (44.2) and opponent field-goal percentage (.316). The Cavaliers captured the national title in April with an overtime win against Texas Tech.

"For some reason we were a little on our heels early. At that point it could have gotten bad, because you get down 10 to these guys, that's like 15 or 17 in a normal game for us," Ford said, alluding to Virginia's defensive prowess. "We responded. We got back in the game. With six [minutes] to go, we were right there. You have to play really perfect in that situation."

Elijah Olaniyi led the Seawolves with 11 points and seven rebounds in the defeat. Gueye had a season-high six blocks along with nine points.

Stony Brook dropped to a deceptive 7-6. The record largely has been a product of the challenging nonconference schedule Ford assembled to prepare the Seawolves for looming America East play.

Stony Brook is in the midst of four consecutive road games. The Seawolves remain in the Mid-Atlantic for a 2 p.m. game Saturday against American in Washington D.C.

"We have played some good teams already," Ford said.