Stony Brook slips to 6-7 on the season, 1-1 in America East, and Vermont improves to 10-3 overall, 1-0 in the conference. The Seawolves shot 32.7 percent for the game, including just 20.6 percent in the second half. Vermont was only 1-for-13 from three-point range, but was 18-for-33 (54.5 percent) inside the arc.
"Vermont is a very good team," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "Every game with them is a war. We did a great job defensively, but unfortunately in a game like this, you have to play well offensively and defensively. We couldn't score enough points tonight."
The Seawolves came out shooting hot, making six of their first nine shots, including three trifectas. Rouse was at the forefront of the attack, dropping in two early three-pointers. Then a 7-0 Seawolves run capped by a three-pointer from Anthony Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) put Stony Brook on top 15-8 at the 14:25 mark.
Vermont stayed at arm's length for the rest of the half. The Seawolves heated up again late when Rouse drained his third triple of the half at 1:24 to put the team back up by seven, 28-21. However, the Catamounts fought back with five points, including three on free throws by Simeon Marsalis, to go into the half down only two, 28-26.
Vermont then turned up the defensive screws, holding the Seawolves scoreless through the first 6:23 of the second half. UVM took a four-point lead, 32-28, before Bryan Dougher (Scotch Plains, N.J.) connected on a three-pointer at 13:37, extending his three-point scoring streak to 24 consecutive games.
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Stony Brook gained some momentum thereafter, taking the lead on three free throws from Rouse to make it 37-34 with 11:11 remaining. It was a three-point lead again at 7:55 after Anthony Mayo (Philadelphia, Pa.) dunked home a outback off a miss to boost the score to 41-38.
However, Vermont hung around while the Seawolves went cold on the offensive end. The Catamounts had missed their first 11 three-point shots before Brendan Bald drilled home a three from the left corner to put UVM back on top, 45-43, with 5:47 to play. The lead extended to six, as the Seawolves missed numerous shots. SBU was 1-for-10 from the field after Dougher made a teardrop bucket at 4:32 to bring the Seawolves within two, 47-45.
Fouls played a large role in the contest, as the Seawolves were whistled for 22 fouls to Vermont's 13. The Catamounts were 16-for-23 from the line. Stony Brook made all of its free throws, but there were only seven attempts.
Fjeld, Vermont's America East Player of the Game, led the Catamounts with 17 points. Brian Voelkel added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Rouse was named Stony Brook's America East Player of the game with his career-high scoring night. Dave Coley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added eight points and a career-high nine rebounds.
Stony Brook his the road for the next two games, taking on Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y. Saturday at 2 p.m. Then the Seawolves will play at Binghamton Monday at 7 p.m., in a game that will be televised live on MSG-Plus.
