WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — For the second straight year, it is guaranteed that the America East men’s basketball regular-season champion will not win the league title after fifth-seeded Stony Brook and second-seeded Boston University posted semifinal wins Sunday at the 2011 Men’s Basketball Championship presented by Newman’s Own at Chase Family Arena Sunday.
The Seawolves, who upset top-seeded Vermont, 69-47, in the first game of the day, and the Terriers, who outlasted sixth-seeded Hartford, 55-49, will play for the league title Saturday at Boston’s Agganis Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and tip at 12:02 p.m.
In the day’s first men’s semi, Stony Brook (15-16) played suffocating defense to advance to its first-ever conference championship game next Saturday (March 12). The Seawolves, who produced 18 points off of Vermont’s 16 turnovers, held the Catamounts to a season-low 32 percent shooting for the contest.
Vermont (23-8), who will receive an automatic NIT berth for winning the America East regular-season title, failed to hit a field goal until almost five minutes into the contest and never found a groove offensively. Senior Evan Fjeld, who averages over 14 points and six rebounds a game, finished with just four points and four rebounds.
“We always play great defense and we got right in them today,” said Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell, whose team ranks among the top-25 nationally in scoring defense and defensive field goal percentage. “We made sure Fjeld didn’t have a field day like he did the last few times we played.”
Sophomore guard Leonard Hayes led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from behind the arc, adding six boards for the Seawolves, who became the first No. 5 seed to beat a No. 1 since 2002. That percentage was the second-highest in tournament history and most in a semifinal (minimum five makes).
Freshman standout Brian Voelkel led Vermont with 12 points and eight boards, but ran into foul trouble late when Stony Brook began to pull away.
Senior Chris Martin, coming off of two injuries during the regular season, finished the game with 14 points and three assists to extend his career as a Seawolf. Forwards Dallis Joyner and Eric McAllister each had momentous put-back dunks in the dying minutes to put the Catamounts away for good.
“I thought that they were well-prepared and really did a good job of playing physical with us,” explained Vermont head coach Mike Lonergan. “We didn’t respond, we played poorly.”
In the second semifinal, Boston University scored 10 of the game’s final 14 points to pull away in a contest that featured seven ties and 13 lead changes. The finals appearance will be the second straight for the Terriers, who are seeking their first league title since 2002.
Boston U. (20-13), winners of 10 in a row, was led by America East Player of the Year John Holland’s 16 points and seven boards. He went 9-for-10 from the free throw line to close out the game in the waning minutes.
Junior forward Patrick Hazel played a key role in the Terriers’ win, contributing 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Hazel hit both of his shots from the floor and all six of his free throws.
“Defending and rebounding was a big key for us,” insisted Hazel. “I felt that’s what got it done for us tonight.”
Hartford (11-20) forced the Terriers into 17 turnovers, resulting in 20 points, but were unable to capitalize on the late opportunities to tie or take the lead. Hartford only had five free throws, cashing in on two of them, while Boston University was 20-for-22 from the stripe.
Senior Morgan Sabia contributed 13 points, three rebounds and two assists in his final game. Sabia finishes fifth all-time on the Hawks’ career scoring list. Fellow senior Anthony Minor had seven points, three assists and two steals to close out a productive career at Hartford.
“That is one of those games where you say it’s a shame someone has to win or lose because both teams competed really hard,” proclaimed Patrick Chambers, whose team reached the 20-win mark for the second straight year.