STONY BROOK, N.Y. — The Stony Brook men's basketball team moved closer to securing the America East's No. 2 seed on Saturday.

The Seawolves survived an upset bid from Maine, posting a 54-46 victory at Island Federal Arena to open a two-game lead for second place in the conference.

"A huge win," coach Geno Ford labeled it.

Stony Brook took the lead for good when Makale Foreman was fouled on a three-point attempt with 2 minutes, 15 seconds remaining and drained all three shots for a 48-46 lead.

Maine was scoreless over the final 4:34 as the Seawolves closed the game on a 10-0 run.

It marked Stony Brook's 20th straight win in the series.

"We really won the game on defense tonight," Foreman said. "That's what really got us the win."

Maine had held a 37-30 lead courtesy of a 15-1 run that prompted a timeout from Stony Brook with 13:47 remaining.

However, Stony Brook answered with an 8-0 run.

Miles Latimer drained a jumper from the left corner and Andrew Garcia converted a three-point play as the Seawolves began to climb out of their hole during that rally. Foreman then delivered a three-pointer as Stony Brook surged back ahead, 38-37.

Maine retook the lead, 42-38. But consecutive layups from Mouhamadou Gueye and Foreman drew the Seawolves even.

Gueye had 14 points, although he needed assistance leaving the court with 7:06 to go due to an apparent injury and did not return.  Ford said Gueye has been getting treatment for a leg injury, which he reaggravated.

"We're hopeful he'll be back quickly," Ford said.

Foreman had 16 points as well as eight rebounds. Latimer and Garcia contributed 10 points apiece.

Ford also complimented Jeff Otchere, who was scoreless, but changed the direction of Maine shots in the paint.

"He won us the game," Ford said. "He made them miss, probably, 10 to 12 shots in the charge circle where he contested and they weren't able to finish."

Stony Brook (18-10, 9-4 AE) avoided a letdown after Thursday's loss to first-place Vermont.

On an eventful Saturday evening in the America East, Vermont fell to UMBC and third-place Albany lost to New Hampshire. The latter result allowed the Seawolves to take a two-game lead for second place.

The America East tourney begins with the quarterfinals on March 7.

Stony Brook has three games remaining in the regular season — Wednesday hosting Hartford, then at UAlbany next Saturday and at UMBC on March 3.

"We're in a good position," Ford said. "But, to be honest, I just said this to the team: In the four years I've been a part of the league, this is by far the best the league has been. The computer rankings are high. There's a lot of parity. Vermont is an excellent basketball team, but there are a lot of teams playing well. And you're seeing more road teams win. You're seeing more upsets.

"Getting the No. 2 seed would be great, and it's really important. We've got to play better offensively than we're playing right now. ... Every game for us, with where we are roster-wise, is a grind."