STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook University men's basketball team won its third straight game, defeating Norfolk State, 84-78, on Wednesday evening at Island Federal Arena. Chris Maidoh posted a double-double with career-high marks in points (19) and rebounds (12), while Tyler Stephenson-Moore reached 20 points for the third consecutive contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Seawolves jumped out to a 5-0 lead courtesy of a pair of Tyler Stephenson-Moore buckets in the opening minute of play. Stony Brook led 9-8 after Keenan Fitzmorris converted on a pair of free throws, but Norfolk State would grab a lead and not relinquish it for the remainder of the first half.
The Spartans extended their lead to double-digits with 6:33 remaining; the Seawolves managed to whittle the deficit down to one point after a 7-0 run that culminated with a Maidoh dunk, but Norfolk State would carry a four-point advantage, 39-35, into the break. Leon Nahar buried a three before the buzzer to narrow the deficit and give Stony Brook some momentum heading into the locker room.
Stony Brook hung around throughout the opening 10 minutes of the second half, never trailing by more than seven points. Then finally, a triple from Stephenson-Moore evened the contest and a put-back slam by Fitzmorris put the Seawolves in front for the first time since the opening few minutes of action.
Following a Norfolk State timeout, the Spartans regained an advantage at the free throw line. It would be their last lead of the evening; Stony Brook went on a 16-5 run to take an 11-point lead, 77-66, its largest of the contest, with 73 seconds to play. The Seawolves closed out the victory at home behind some clutch free throw shooting, ending the Spartans' three-game winning streak.
STATS AND NOTES
- Maidoh registered the Seawolves' first double-double of the season, posting career-high marks in points (19) and rebounds (12). He finished 6-for-7 from the floor and 7-of-9 at the charity stripe, adding three assists, two blocks and one steal.
- Stephenson-Moore paced the team offensively with 20 points, shooting 60% (6-10) from the floor and 62.5% (5-8) from deep. It marks the third straight game that TSM has reached 20 points and the graduate guard from Jamaica, N.Y. has scored in double-figures in every game he has played this season.
- Fitzmorris tallied a season-high 16 points. He has registered double-digit points in three straight games and five of the last six contests. He was a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throws line and has now converted on 21 straight free throws dating back to the win over Stonehill.
- The Seawolves led for just 10:53 during the contest. Norfolk State held an advantage for more than 27 minutes, including a 24-minute stretch that spanned both halves.
- Stony Brook shot 51% (26-51) overall, 41% (11-27) from three and 78% (21-27) at the free throw line. Norfolk State connected on 60% (6-10) of its three-point attempts in the first half, but the Seawolves limited the Spartans to a 4-of-14 mark from beyond the arc in the second half.
- The Seawolves eclipsed 20 free throws made as a team for the first time in 31 games, last doing so in last season's loss to Wagner.
- Stony Brook improved to 4-1 all-time against Norfolk State, picking up its fourth straight victory in the series history. The Spartans entered play tonight ranked No. 19 in the College Insider Mid Major Top 25.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
Stony Brook heads to West Point to face off with the Army Black Knights on Sunday, December 17. Tip-off between the Seawolves and Black Knights is set for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+ from Christl Arena.
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