The America East Championship seeding picture became clearer after Thursday's four games, which saw Stony Brook wrap up its third conference regular-season title in four years as well as three of the other top teams in the league standings, Albany, Hartford and Vermont, pick up wins.
The Seawolves (22-6, 13-2 AE) beat Boston University (17-12, 11-5 AE), 71-55, as they also guaranteed themselves of an NIT berth should they not reach the NCAA Tournament. SBU grew a 28-point first-half lead and hung on for its ninth win in its last 10 games.Tommy Brenton led the way with 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Maurice Watson, Jr. paced Boston U. with 13 points.
The Catamounts (19-9, 11-4 AE) locked up the No. 2 seed for the upcoming league tournament by shooting 55 percent en route to a 78-61 win at Binghamton (3-25, 1-14 AE). The Cats, winners of three straight and seven of eight, will be seeded in the top two for the ninth time in last 11 years. Clancy Rugg led the way with 17 points, while Jordan Reed had 18 to pace the Bearcats, who will be seeded eighth for the championship.
The Great Danes (21-9, 9-6 AE) secured a winning league record with a 56-49 win over New Hampshire (8-19, 4-11 AE). Albany, which got 23 points from Mike Black, will be seeded third for the league tournament with a win at Stony Brook Sunday or a Hartford loss at Vermont. It would be fourth with a loss and a Hartford win. Patrick Konan had a game-high 24 points to lead UNH, which will be seeded sixth for the championship with a win against Maine Sunday or a UMBC loss vs. Binghamton. It would be seventh with a loss and a Retriever win.
The Hawks (16-12, 9-6 AE) secured its first winning league record since the 2007-08 season by outscoring UMBC (6-22, 4-11 AE) by 16 points in the second half on way to a 68-56 win. Hartford can still be the No. 3 seed with a win at Vermont Sunday and an Albany loss at Stony Brook. It would be No. 4 with a loss or Albany win. The Retrievers can earn the No. 6 seed with a win vs. Binghamton Sunday and a UNH loss to Maine. They would be No. 7 with a loss or Wildcat win. John Peterson paced Hartford with a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards, while Ryan Cook's 16 led UMBC.
Recent Results - Thursday, February 28
at Hartford 68, UMBC 56 -- Box Score | Recap | Highlights
at Albany 56, New Hampshire 49 -- Box Score | Recap
Stony Brook 71, at Boston U. 55 -- Box Score | Recap
Vermont 78, at Binghamton 61 -- Box Score | Recap