Brenton steals the show in men's hoops win over Hartford

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Four members of the Stony Brook men's basketball team scored at least 15 points, including senior Tommy Brenton (Columbia, Md.), who had 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the Seawolves to a 73-59 win over Hartford Saturday at sold-out Pritchard Gymnasium.

The Seawolves, off to their best 16-game start in their Div. I history, have now won four straight games and eight of their last 10 and improve to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in America East, good for sole possession of first place in the conference. The team defeated Hartford for the ninth straight time, dating back to the 2008-09 season.

Freshman Jameel Warney (Plainfield, N.J.) led the team with 17 points, junior Dave Coley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added 16 points and nine rebounds and freshman Carson Puriefoy (Wenonah, N.J.) produced a career-high 15 points.

Coach Steve Pikiell's Reaction
"It was a good win for us at home today. We had great community support; the crowd was phenomenal. I thought we played really well for 32 minutes against a good Hartford team. I liked our defense and I liked how we spread the ball around with four different guys in double digit scoring."

Turning Point
It was all Stony Brook in this game as they led from the 15:16 mark of the first half to the end. Coley ignited a 12-0 Seawolves run with a steal and fastbreak dunk. Then it was the Brenton show as he poured in nine points in a six minute span, including an acrobatic layup, foul and three-point play after a steal at the 8:04 mark that put Stony Brook on top 24-10.

The Seawolves shot 63.6 percent in the first half on their way to a 19-point halftime lead, 37-18, and never looked back.

By the Numbers

• Stony Brook outshot Hartford for the game, 57.1% to 36.7%. SB's shooting percentage was a season high. The Seawolves excelled at getting to the free throw line, going 22-for-34 compared to Hartford's 7-for-9.
• The Seawolves outrebounded the Hawks 38-27, the 33rd time in their last 40 games they have grabbed more caroms their opponent.
• The Seawolves blocked seven shots, which matches their season high as a team.
• Brenton's 16 points were a season high and just two shy of his career high. His second of three steals today pushed him past Yves Simon (1987-91) for first place all-time in program history in steals. He now has 197.
• Warney posted at least 16 points for the seventh time this season. He also blocked two shots, giving him a block in all but one game this season and nine consecutive games.
• Coley's nine rebounds were a season high. He has 25 career games of five rebounds or more at the guard position. He also blocked a career-high two shots.
• Puriefoy set career highs for points (15), assists (3) and minutes played (31).
• Sophomore Anthony Mayo (Philadelphia, Pa.) surpassed Brenton on the team's Div. I career blocks leaderboard. With three rejections today, he now has 46 for his career.

News & Notes

• With a 12-4 record, Stony Brook is off to its best 16-game start in its Div. I history, surpassing the 2009-10 team's 11-5 record.
• Stony Brook is now 3-0 in America East for the second consecutive season. SB is also 21-3 in its last 24 conference games.
• The Seawolves are now 10-0 this season and 70-18 in the Pikiell era when holding their opponent under 60 points.
• The Seawolves have won 12 straight home conference games, dating back to February 2011. Stony Brook is now 43-16 (.729) at Pritchard Gymnasium since moving back into the facility for the 2008-09 season.
• This was the second consecutive sellout at Pritchard Gymnasium.
• Brenton was named America East Player of the Game.

Up Next
The Seawolves will square off with Boston University Tuesday at Pritchard Gymnasium at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed online live through ESPN3. For tickets, please call (631) 632-WOLF.