STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Leading by as much as 21 in the second half, the Stony Brook men's basketball program was able to hold off a Maine run that saw the lead cut as close as five en route to a win in the America East opener, 80-72, on Saturday afternoon at Island Federal Arena.
Elijah Olaniyi and
Tykei Greene led the Seawolves with 16 points apiece, two of five players in double figures for the home team. Olaniyi, in his return, also recorded five rebounds, two steals and a big block to seal the game late.
Greene finished a rebound away from a double-double, hauling in a team-high nine rebounds to aid Stony Brook's advantage on the glass. The Seawolves flew ahead to a 64-43 lead with 9:06 to go after a Greene free throw but Maine rallied back to 73-68 but Stony Brook would not let them get closer than that.
Stony Brook now sits 9-5 on the season, winners of six of its last seven, as it heads into a big matchup with Vermont on Wednesday night in Burlington, Vt.
STATS AND NOTES
- The Seawolves improved to 8-1 at Island Federal Arena, including winning each of its last six.
- Today was the fifth time Stony Brook had five score in double figures. They have won each of those contests.
- Half of the 80-point outputs in the Geno Ford era (12) have come this season, hitting the mark for the sixth time in 2021-22.
- Stony Brook is now 5-1 in games decided by single digits.
- The 16 made free throws and five blocks both tied for season highs by the team.
- Stony Brook's defense held the Black Bears to four made 3's and a 17.4 percent clip from beyond the arc. Both are its best defensively this season.
- Jaden Sayles recorded a pair of blocks for Stony Brook, the first multi-block game of the season for him.
- Frankie Policelli hit four 3-pointers on the night, tied for his career high. He's hit that mark three times this season and six in his collegiate career.
- Olaniyi's 16 points are a new season-high. It was his 63rd career game in double figures.
- Greene's 16 points match his best in America East competition, tying his Binghamton effort on December 20, 2020.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"Thrilled we won. I think we felt like at the ten-minute mark we huddled up and were concerned that the crowd might leave early, so we wanted to keep them until the end. I wish that was it, but I give Maine credit. They kept playing and we didn't do as good of enough job, obviously. We only had 11 turnovers, we were 16-of-20 from the foul line but it felt like they were all in one little bunched up stretch where the game was able to get tightened down. When it did get to a one or two possession game, Elijah had a huge play, Jahlil had a huge deflection where Juan stole it after we turned it over and we were able to get it back and get fouled. There were more positives than negatives and anytime you win a conference game they don't give you bonus points for winning by a certain amount. Happy to move and get on to the next one, clearly we have somethings we need to clean up." – Head coach
Geno Ford
For the full press conference, watch below:
UP NEXT
The Seawolves head to Vermont for a matchup that pits the top two teams in the America East preseason poll. Tip is set for 7 p.m., in Burlington, Vt.
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