Stony Brook, N.Y- The Stony Brook men's basketball team cruised to victory in the Battle of Suffolk County against St. Joseph's University, New York - Long Island on Tuesday night, taking down the Golden Eagles, 89-48, at Island Federal Arena.
Stony Brook's offense was fueled by five student-athletes finishing in double-digits. Senior guard
Tyler Stephenson-Moore led the way with a career-high 23 points and graduate forward
Frankie Policelli followed directly behind with a career-high tying 22 points. Junior forward
Kenan Sarvan, junior guard
Tanahj Pettway and graduate center
Keenan Fitzmorris rounded out the double figure finishes for the Seawolves totaling 14, 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Fitzmorris got the scoring started for Stony Brook as he converted a second-chance layup in the paint to give the Seawolves an early lead in the first 24 seconds of the contest. However, St. Joseph's LI would fight back with a three made by freshman guard Justin Turner to give the Golden Eagles a 3-2 lead.
The first half would see six lead changes until Stephenson-Moore stole a pass from junior guard Xavier Allen and broke out in the open floor, ultimately decimating the rim with a windmill dunk with 5:48 left to play in the half. With the dunk, the Seawolves grabbed the lead and never relinquished as they defeated the Golden Eagles.
The Seawolves lived by the three-point shot on Tuesday, setting a new program record with 17 three-point makes in the game, surpassing the previous record of 14 makes against Central Connecticut on December 14, 2021. Policelli led the way from beyond the arc, draining 6-of-8 from range, marking a new career-high in three pointers made.
Stony Brook continued its hot shooting into the second half as the Seawolves went on a 46-9 run that started with Stephenson-Moore's dunk in the first half and continued through until 9:59 left to play in the second, Stephenson-Moore's made three would ultimately be the end of the run as St. Joseph's LI's Ryan McNeely would make a three directly after.
The Seawolves put on a shooting brigade, making 50 percent (33-of-66) of their shots from the field and 44.7 percent (17-of-38) of their shots from three-point territory.
Stony Brook's second half defense proved to be too much for the Golden Eagles, as it only conceded 15 points in the 20 minutes. St. Joseph's LI shot just 33.9 percent (20-of-59) from the field and 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from three-point range.
Stony Brook's 89 points were the highest they have scored this season and the Golden Eagles' 48 points were the lowest that the Seawolves have allowed this season.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook made a program record 17 three-pointers. Policelli made six, Sarvan made four, Stephenson-Moore and junior guard Tanahj Pettway made three each and Fitzmorris made one.
- Three student-athletes finished the game with a career-high in points. Stephenson-Moore scored 23 points, Policelli tied his career-high with 22 points and senior guard Tanahj Pettway scored 13 points.
- Stephenson-Moore registered a career-high 10 field-goals made en route to his career-high 23 points tonight. The guard also added three three-pointers made and grabbed four rebounds in 32 minutes of play.
- Policelli recorded his second double-double of the season and third of his career with 22 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. The graduate went 7-of-12 from the field and knocked down 6-of-8 from three-point range.
- Sophomore guard Kaine Roberts finished the night with four points and eight rebounds, a season-high in both categories, in a career-high 38 minutes of play.
- Fitzmorris tallied 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, pulled down a career-high seven rebounds and dished out a career-high four assists in 24 minutes of play.
- Sarvan recorded 14 points on 5-of-17 from the field and 4-of-12 from beyond the arc. He also added eight boards and a block in his 21 minutes.
- Stony Brook's 41-point victory was its largest margin of victory this season and marked the Seawolves' first 40-point win since Dec. 15, 2020 when they defeated Point Park, 83-39.
- The Seawolves improve to 1-0 against opponents from the state of New York this season. Stony Brook went 5-2 against the state of New York last season. The Seawolves will also face New York foes Wagner, Army West Point and Hofstra twice the rest of the way.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
The Seawolves will take on Yale at Island Federal Arena this upcoming Saturday, December 3.Tip-off is set for 6:31 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted live on SNY and FloHoops.
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