STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The top two men's basketball teams in America East square off in showdown of conference unbeatens Friday when Stony Brook hosts Vermont at 9 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU and also available on WatchESPN apps. Bob Picozzi (play-by-play) and Malcom Huckaby will have the call.
Stony Brook (13-6, 5-0 AE) and Vermont (11-8, 5-0 AE) both enter the day a perfect 5-0 in America East play and riding win streaks. The Seawolves have won four straight games while the Catamounts have won seven in a row and are beating opponents by an average of 23.9 points per game during that stretch. Stony Brook has also won 11 consecutive league games dating back to last year and 20 in a row at home. The two teams have dominated America East play since the start of the 2008-09 season, going a combined 128-42 (.753) in that stretch (Vermont: 66-19; Stony Brook: 62-23). The Catamounts lead the all-time series, 20-11, but the two teams have split the last 10 meetings.
Both teams are strong on each end of the court. Stony Brook ranks second averaging 74.1 points per game while Vermont is third (69.5 ppg). Vermont leads the league defensively holding teams to 63.1 points per game. The teams are also first and second in field goal percentage defense as both squads limit opponents to 40.8 percent shooting.
Some of the top players in the league will also be in action tonight as well. Stony Brook's Jameel Warney leads the league in both scoring (15.7 ppg) in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and leads the nation shooting 66 percent from the field. Vermont senior Senior Brian Voelkel surpassed Kevin Roberson as UVM’s all-time leading rebounder Monday. He currently sits in fifth place on America East’s all-time list with 1,065 career rebounds. He also tallied his 600h career assist Monday, becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history with 1,000 rebounds and 600 boards.
On Thursday, Hartford, UMass Lowell and New Hampshire picked up wins.
The Hawks (10-11, 4-2 AE) won for the fourth time in their last five games as Taylor Dyson's tip in the waning seconds delivered a 56-54 win over Binghamton (4-15, 1-5 AE). Wes Cole had his second-straight stellar game, scoring 24 points on eight three pointers. Yosef Yacob paed Binghamton with 14 points.
The River Hawks (5-13, 4-3 AE) outscored Maine (3-15, 1-5 AE) by 16 points in the second half en route to a 74-62 win over the Black Bears, their fourth win in their last six games. Antonio Bivins scored a season-high 25 points to lead UMass Lowell. He shot 10-of-12 from the field and also had eight rebounds. Xavier Pollard led Maine with 15 points off the bench.
The Wildcats (4-15, 2-4 AE) outscored Albany (10-10, 4-3 AE), 20-8, over the game's final 7:40 to earn a 60-56 win, their second league win of the year. Jordon Bronner led UNH with 15 points. D.J. Williams had a game-hight 22 points for Albany.
Upcoming Action
Friday, January 24
Vermont at Stony Brook, 9 p.m. (ESPNU) - WatchESPN Link | Live Stats
Recent Results
Thursday, January 23
Hartford 56, at Binghamton 54 - Box Score | Highlights
UMass Lowell 74, at Maine 62 - Box Score | Highlights
at New Hampshire 60, Albany 56 - Box Score | Highlights