JAMAICA, N.Y. — The Stony Brook men's basketball team started strongly in its first game against St. John's in 11 seasons.

However, the Red Storm ultimately surged back and defeated the Seawolves, 89-66, on Sunday at Carnesecca Arena.

Stony Brook had taken a 33-27 lead on Jaden Sayles' jumper with 5 minutes, 3 seconds remaining in the first half.

That proved the Seawolves' final field goal before the break, though.

St. John's closed the period on a 22-2 run that included the half's final 13 points to take a 49-35 lead into halftime. The run reached 18-0 before Sayles halted the streak with a jumper 1:55 into the second half.

"We led for majority of the first half, then ran out of gas late and made some mental errors that led to transition for them," coach Geno Ford said. "I liked a lot of what we did. Building this team is going to be a process. We have talent, but currently lack great on-the-floor chemistry. We need to continue to improve over the next three games prior to the conference schedule."

The Stony Brook-St. John's matchup marked the first game between the teams since Dec. 2, 2009.

On a positive note, as Ford predicted, Mouhamadou Gueye awakened after a quiet start to his season.

Gueye and Sayles took command in the paint early as the Seawolves maintained the lead for more than 12 minutes in the first half. But St. John's (4-1), which largely settled for perimeter shots early after  being unable to initially generate turnovers with its pressure, by halftime had generated 10 steals.

Stony Brook ultimately committed 29 turnovers.

Four Seawolves scored in double-figures: Gueye (15 points), Frankie Policelli (14), Juan Felix Rodriguez (11) and Sayles (10). Policelli, a Dayton transfer, also had 10 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double.

The Seawolves (1-2) next play Wednesday at Hofstra in the Battle of Long Island. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Hempstead.