Defense Leads Women's Basketball to 74-60 Victory Over Binghamton

Murray grabs career-high 11 rebounds

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Junior Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) poured in 17 points and sophomore Tamiel Murray (Teaneck, N.J.) grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds as Stony Brook University's women's basketball team defeated Binghamton, 74-60, on Saturday afternoon in Pritchard Gymnasium. The Seawolves' defense forced Binghamton into 22 turnovers while tying a season-high with 13 steals. With the victory, Stony Brook moves to 7-16 (5-6 America East) while Binghamton drops to 8-15 (4-6).

"Our defense was key tonight," said head coach Michele Cherry. "We did a great job of keeping them off balance on offense by switching defensive looks. We also did a great job of controlling the boards led by Tamiel and Destiny."

Stony Brook's offense came out hot, hitting its first four field goal attempts to grab a six point lead in under 2:30 of play. The Seawolves used a balanced scoring attack in the first half as eight different players made field goals. Senior Joia Daniels (Silver Spring, Md.) led the attack with six points on 3-of-3 shooting.

SBU's lead would grow to as many as ten in the first half when sophomore Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.) grabbed one of her 11 rebounds on the night for an easy put-back with 7:58 remaining.

After scoring 14 points off turnovers in the first half, Stony Brook recorded its first points of the second half when junior Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) picked the pocket of Binghamton's point guard for a wide open layup. Horsey's bucket gave the Seawolves a 32-23 lead and the steal was one of her game-high four on the night.

Behind 13 second-half points from Jeter, SBU's cushion would reach as many as 21 points with 5:35 remaining. Binghamton would make a late rally, however, as they scored 18 points over the next 4:30 minutes to pull within ten at 68-58. Stony Brook would make 6-of-9 free throw attempts down the stretch though as the Seawolves held on for the victory.
Adding nine points and three steals to her 11 rebounds, Murray was named the America East Player of the Game for Stony Brook. Darryll Peterson earned the honor for Binghamton by scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Horsey and Daniels joined Jeter in double-figures with ten points each.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic A HUGE SUCCESS!

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's Department of Athletics will still be holding its National Girls and Women in Sports Day Youth Clinic today in the Indoor Sports Complex. Registration for the clinic begins at 10:30 a.m. and it culminates with a women's basketball game against Binghamton at 2:00 p.m.

Girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 13 are invited to participate in the Sports Clinic. Stony Brook student-athletes from many different sports will lead the clinic. Sneakers and play clothes are required, and there is a $5 admission fee that includes the clinic, a t-shirt, a ticket to the Stony Brook women's basketball game, and a goodie bag for each clinic participant.

Stony Brook lands eight area football players

By BOB HERZOG bob.herzog@newsday.com

Quick SummaryStony Brook seizes opportunity by signing eight top area recruits, including three former Hofstra players.

Stony Brook University is becoming a desirable destination for Long Island high school football teams. The demise of Hofstra's football program combined with the continued improvement at Stony Brook has created a perfect storm of opportunity for the Seawolves, who Wednesday signed five L.I. players on National Signing Day.

JeVahn Cruz of Half Hollow Hills West, the little quarterback who guided the Colts to the Class III Long Island Championship and shared the Hansen Award, is the headline local recruit for Stony Brook. Cruz expects to be utilized as an all-purpose back, running the ball, catching passes and returning kicks.

Joining Cruz at SBU next fall are defensive end Kevin Hauter of Floyd, running back Davon Lawrence of Sachem North, linebacker Jawara Dudley of Roosevelt and offensive lineman Cody Precht of Harborfield.

Stony Brook also signed three L.I. transfers from Hofstra - running back Miguel Maysonet of Riverhead, running back/wide receiver Brock Jackolski of Floyd and defensive lineman Andrew Nelson of Uniondale.

Hills West's Cruz, four others sign with Stony Brook

By BOB HERZOG bob.herzog@newsday.com

For JeVahn Cruz, the decision to attend Stony Brook University was all about being on familiar ground.

See where All-Long Island football stars will play in college

The Half Hollow Hills West quarterback, who capped a spectacular senior year by leading the Colts to the Long Island Championship at Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium, was one of five L.I. high school players who signed with the Seawolves Wednesday on national signing day.

The others were Floyd defensive end Kevin Hauter, Sachem North running back Davon Lawrence, Roosevelt linebacker Jawara Dudley and Harborfields offensive lineman Cory Precht.

Not only will Cruz be playing on the fast turf he so enjoyed last November, he will be playing in the familiar spread offense and will be in a comfortable position. And it's not quarterback. "I won't miss it. I only played it last year," Cruz said at a signing ceremony at Hills West. "I was a running back all my life until last year."

Cruz said he was told he would be used as a slot receiver, running back and kick returner. "Anything to get me the ball," Cruz said.

Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore concurred. "He's not coming here as a quarterback," Priore said. "But we recruited him as a kid who's exciting with the ball in his hands. We want to get him the ball in space - screens, reverses, speed sweeps. And we want him to make an impact on special teams. The Wildcat could be another potential role. The important thing is to create situations where he makes us tougher to handle as an offense."

Lawrence fits into that category as well. "He may be the sleeper of our class," Priore said. "He's got something about him when he runs with the football that really excites me. He doesn't look like he's running fast, but he runs past people. He's an effortless type of runner - not flashy like Cruz, but a consistent kid."

Precht, a 280-pound lineman who will likely redshirt, could be opening holes someday for Cruz and Lawrence. "He impressed us last summer with his toughness," Priore said. "He may have been a little under-recruited. Offensive linemen are often the biggest secrets out there. I think he'll be a better college player than he was in high school."

Stony Brook also grabbed a couple of local kids to fortify its defense. Hauter, an All-Long Island player, has already gained 17 pounds to about 220 since the fall. The weight isn't over. "He'll have to be at 235 or 240 and play defensive end on the open side, away from the tight end," Priore said. "He's got some intangibles, too. He comes from a winning program. He's got the intensity level of a defensive player. And he'll outwork everybody on the field."

Dudley, originally signed by Hofstra, brings versatility to Stony Brook. "He'll play outside linebacker for us," Priore said. "In the 4-3 defense, you need athleticism at the position. And whether it was a fullback or as a linebacker, his acceleration allowed him to play in space."

Priore said the windfall of L.I. players this year was partly because of Hofstra's demise and partly because his own program is on the rise. "This isn't the same Stony Brook of three or four years ago," Priore said. "We won [shared] a conference championship. We have a full complement of scholarships. We're playing South Florida next year, Buffalo and Army the year after.

"We're a much, much better option as a football program to these kids," Priore added. "We always wanted the best kids on Long Island. Now, the interest is mutual. You have to get yourself to a winning cycle to get the local people to stay home. If you're not winning, they'll drive right by you."

Instead, they're exiting at LIE Exit 62 North.

Stony Brook Announces 2010 Football Recruiting Class

Class includes 10 local standouts

Watch Coach Priore talk about the 2010 recruiting class 2010 Schedule

2010 Recruiting Class

Stony Brook, N.Y. -
A total of eleven standout football players signed national letters of intent today with defending Big South Conference Champion Stony Brook, head coach Chuck Priore announced. The Seawolves incoming class includes ten high school football players and defensive lineman Andrew Nelson (Uniondale, N.Y.) who will transfer from Hofstra University to join the team in the fall. The newest additions to the football team represent the largest contingent of local talent since Priore took over as leader of the Stony Brook program.
"When you have the opportunity to win a championship, it's certainly going to affect the local recruiting landscape, and I think that's evident with the ten Long Island football players we were able to add to our program", Priore said. Included in the talented group of new Stony Brook players are five all-New York State selections including JeVahn Cruz (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.), Jawara Dudley (Queens, N.Y.), Kevin Hauter (Moriches, N.Y.), Davon Lawrence (Central Islip, N.Y.) and Devante Wheeler (Staten Island, N.Y.). Today's signing of Cruz, along with the addition of spring transfers Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.) and Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.), and current Stony Brook rising junior Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.), means that the Seawolves roster will boast the last four Hansen Award winners who have all been recognized as the top high school football players in Suffolk County. "It is always our goal to try and keep the best players here on Long Island", Priore said. "I think our offense and the way it is structured will continue to attract the great running backs on Long Island."

The Seawolves, who won the 2009 Championship in only their second year in the Big South Conference, will have an overall incoming class of 19 players including eight athletes who enrolled at Stony Brook for the spring semester and will be participating in spring practices. With 26 graduating seniors, the Seawolves were also looking to bolster their roster immediately. The seven mid-year enrollees are expected to bring valuable college playing experience to the roster immediately and will help fill some of the void left by Stony Brook's graduating players.
Coach Priore and the Stony Brook Seawolves will begin spring practice on April 7 with the spring game on May 1. All practices are held in Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium and are open to the public. The official practice schedule will be posted on www.goseawolves.org once finalized. The 2010 Stony Brook football season will kick off on Saturday, September 4 in Tampa, Florida when the Seawolves take the field against the University of South Florida in Raymond James Stadium. With the addition of 19 new football players to the 2010 Seawolves roster, Coach Priore is excited about the future of Stony Brook Football. "Winning the Big South Championship, having the full complement of scholarships and with South Florida, Buffalo and Army on our schedule for the next three years, our football program is well positioned to continue enjoying great success", said Priore. "The commitment that our University has given to football shows our local athletes, our fanbase and Stony Brook alumni that we're in a great situation to succeed."

Men's Basketball Defeats Hartford, 54-44, For Fifth Straight Victory

Seawolves hold Hartford to 34.6 percent shooting.

Buy Tickets Box Score

West Hartford, Conn. - Senior Muhammad El-Amin (Lansing, Mich.) and junior Chris Martin (Springfield Gardens, N.Y.) each scored a game-high 16 points and the Stony Brook University men's basketball team held the Hartford Hawks to 34.6 percent shooting on its way to a 54-44 victory in America East Conference action on Wednesday night at Chase Arena. SBU improved to 16-7 overall with the win, its best start since 1990-91. The first-place Seawolves are now 8-2 in the America East, their best record after 10 conference games since joining the America East in 2001-02.
"I really like the effort and energy our guys played with," Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell said. "We didn't execute as well as we could on the offensive end of the court but our defense was outstanding all night and that's what won us the game."
El-Amin went 8-for-9 from the free throw line for the Seawolves, who have won five straight conference games for the first time since 2002-03. Martin scored 10 of his 16 in the second half, while sophomore Tommy Brenton (Columbia, Md.) grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. The Seawolves 16 overall victories matches last-year's squad for the program's most wins since joining the America East in 2001-02. The eight conference wins also matches last season's team for the most in program history.
Both teams struggled to score at the start, with the Seawolves holding a 5-3 lead just under six minutes into the game. But El-Amin then hit a short fade-away and sophomore Dallis Joyner (Norfolk, Va.) followed with a fast-break dunk off a feed from senior Eddie Castellanos (Jersey City, N.J.).

Joyner completed a three-point play with 12:30 remaining to push the Stony Brook lead to 13-4 and sophomore Danny Carter (London, England) then got a free for a dunk off a feed from Martin. El-Amin extended the Seawolves advantage to 18-4 a possession later before Morgan Sabia hit a three to bring Hartford within 11.
The Seawolves still led by 11 with five minutes to go but Martin then scored on a driving lay-up and El-Amin followed with two free throws to give Stony Brook a 26-11 advantage. Hartford scored the final four points of the half to close within 26-15 at the break.
Hartford cut the Stony Brook lead to 30-23 just over five minutes into the second half but El-Amin answered with a jumper from the top of the key and then scored on a fast-break lay-up to push the Seawolves advantage back to 11. Hartford had a response though as Joe Zeglinski and Sabia drilled back-to-back threes to cut the SBU advantage to five with 12 minutes remaining.
Martin answered with a three-point play to make it 37-29 but Milton Burton knocked down a three on the other end to bring Hartford back within five. Hartford knocked the ball out of bounds with two seconds left on the shot clock on SBU's ensuing possession but freshman Marcus Rouse (Upper Marloboro, Md.) threw the ball into the lane to Brenton, who caught it and then banked in a shot while falling down.
Dougher followed Brenton's shot with a three to push the Stony Brook lead back to 10 with just less than eight minutes remaining. The three gave Dougher 67 on the season, setting the Seawolves Division I record for three-pointers in a season. Dougher set the previous record last year.
Hartford drew within six with 3:30 left on a Charles White hoop before El-Amin hit two free throws with 2:25 to go to give SBU a 47-39 lead. Joel Barkers answered with an inside hoop for Hartford but El-Amin answered with two more free throws and the Hawks then turned it over on their ensuing possession to seal the game for the Seawolves.
Stony Brook returns to action next Wednesday, hosting Maine at Pritchard Gymnasium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. For ticket information call 631-632-WOLF or visit www.goseawolves.org.

Stony Brook Hosts Basketball Alumni Event

Over 50 former Stony Brook basketball players attended event .


Photo Gallery From Saturday's Basketball Alumni Event

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's Department of Athletics welcomed back over 50 men's and women's basketball alumni on Saturday for its "Basketball Alumni Day." The event, which was the largest-ever gathering of SBU basketball alumni, was a huge success, celebrating the past, present and future of Stony Brook Basketball.

A reception for the group was held in between games of Stony Brook's basketball doubleheader in the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center. The Seawolves also honored their men's and women's 1,000-point scorers at halftime of both games.