BURLINGTON, Vt. — Coach Geno Ford saluted the  Stony Brook men's basketball team's toughness and vocalness. Still, the Seawolves will head home looking to regroup after what Ford labeled a "stomach-punch loss."

Stony Brook played well enough to win, but was swept in a weekend series against Vermont with a 61-57 defeat on Sunday.

Stony Brook (8-12, 6-8 AE) dropped its fourth straight game.

Frankie Policelli's three-pointer with 61 seconds remaining pulled the Seawolves within 58-57.

Vemont's Ben Shungu then converted a pair of free throws with 15 seconds to go  for a three-point advantage. Following a timeout, Policelli's would-be game-tying three-point attempt then went awry with six seconds to go.

"Guys just poured their hearts and souls into the game. We were as committed and connected as we've ever been," Ford said. "… We're doing everything well enough to make a run in the tournament except for shooting threes."

Stony Brook shot 5-for-21 from behind the arc.

The Catamounts never relinquished the lead during the second half.

When Stony Brook drew within 36-35 as Omar Habwe hit one of two free throws with 14:56 remaining, Stef Smith answered with a three-pointer for Vermont to begin what became a 9-0 run.

Stony Brook went 11:18 without a field goal during the second half, until a layup and then three-pointer from Juan Felix Rodriguez that pulled Stony Brook within 56-52 with less than four minutes remaining.

 Rodriguez had a career-high 24 points.

"Juan stepped up this weekend and showed he's one of the best guards in our league," Ford said. "He's not the best guard in our league yet, but we're pretty confident he's going to get there."
 
The Seawolves continue on the road next weekend with a pair of games at UAlbany.