WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Stony Brook men's basketball team put forth a valiant effort but was defeated by the College of Charleston, 74-52, in the quarterfinals of the 2023 CAA Championship at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.
 
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the first half as their advantage extended to as many as 20 points with 13:22 to play in the frame. Despite the deficit, Stony Brook did what it did all season long and fought back.
 
The Seawolves chipped away at the lead throughout the duration of the first half and were paced by graduate center Keenan Fitzmorris who scored 11 points over the first 20 minutes. Charleston took a 42-26 lead into the halftime break behind Reyne Smith and Ryan Larson who scored 10 and nine points, respectively.
 

Oh okay, we 👀 you Fitz

🌊🐺 x #CAAHoops pic.twitter.com/jlPAnhrVhQ

— Stony Brook Men's Basketball (@StonyBrookMBB) March 5, 2023

 
Stony Brook was able to cut the deficit to 13 in the second half. With 10:56 to play in the game, senior guard Tyler Stephenson-Moore made a layup off a feed from junior forward Kenan Sarvan to make it 55-42 in favor of the Cougars.
 

How about that Tyler Stephenson-Moore bucket!@stonybrookmbb#CAAHoops on @FloHoops:
📺: https://t.co/wNpIZzBZpS pic.twitter.com/HQ45UKedte

— CAA Basketball (@CAABasketball) March 6, 2023

 
From that point forward, Charleston was able to outscore Stony Brook, 19-10, down the stretch on its way to a 74-52 victory. Fitzmorris and freshman guard Toby Onyekonwu finished the game in double figures for the Seawolves. Fitzmorris led all scorers with 18 points, while Onyekonwu chipped in with 10 points.
 
STATS AND NOTES

• Fitzmorris recorded 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and pulled down two rebounds. It was the 18^th time this season that he scored in double figures and the 18 points were the second-most that he scored in a game this season (scored a career-high 25 points on Feb. 23 at UNCW).
• Onyekonwu totaled 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out four assists. It was the 11^th time this season that he finished a game scoring in double figures.
• Stephenson-Moore scored nine points and tallied four assists and junior guard Tanahj Petteway registered eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed three rebounds.  
• Graduate forward Frankie Policelli pulled down eight rebounds.
• Stony Brook finished the CAA Tournament with a 1-1 record. The Seawolves picked up their first-ever win in the CAA Championship on Saturday when they defeated NC A&T, 76-61, in the second round. 

For an inside look at the Seawolves men's basketball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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