STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook University men's basketball team held Rider under 50 points, using an all-around strong defensive effort to beat the Broncs on Monday evening at Island Federal Arena. The Seawolves had two players score in double figures, led by Aaron Clarke, who had 13 points and three steals. Keenan Fitzmorris tacked on 12 points off of the bench and Andre Snoddy narrowly missed a double-double, scoring eight points and securing 10 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After jumping out to an early 11-8 advantage, Stony Brook went on a 9-0 run with 10:56 left in the first half to increase its lead to 20-8.
The Seawolves then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 34-25 advantage. Stony Brook got a great contribution from its bench in the period, with non-starters accounting for 10 of its 34 total points.
Some poor shooting from both sides kept things close on the scoreboard, though a late 6-0 run by the Seawolves created a seven-point cushion with less than 90 seconds to play. Clarke got into the lane and connected on a floater off the glass, a clutch bucket that all but sealed the deal at the Island.
The Seawolves would hold onto that lead for the rest of the game, closing out the 55-48 win. The icing on the cake came via a charge drawn by Clarke on a drive by Mervin James, proving to be the final nail in the coffin in a physical battle between the Seawolves and Broncs.
STATS AND NOTES
- The Seawolves held the Broncs to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
- Stony Brook never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
- Stony Brook had a great day defensively, limiting Rider to 14 percent shooting from beyond the arc on 21 attempts.
- Stony Brook finished with a 42-39 edge on the boards in the win.
- The Stony Brook defense forced 14 turnovers.
- Clarke led the Seawolves offensively with 13 points.
- Stony Brook got a team-high 10 rebounds from Snoddy.
- Stony Brook forced 14 Rider turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Monday's game. The Seawolves turned those takeaways into 11 points on the offensive end of the floor.
- Clarke's three steals led the way for Stony Brook.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
NEXT UP
Following a break for Thanksgiving, Stony Brook returns to action on the road at Yale on Wednesday, November 29. The Seawolves and Bulldogs tip-off at 7:00 p.m. from New Haven, Connecticut with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
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