King of the Hill, Top of the Heap: Seawolves Grab First with BUtiful Win

For a few minutes there, it looked like this game could get ugly.

The Boston University Terriers came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, shooting just south of 70% for the first several minutes of the game, at one point knocking down what felt like a dozen consecutive threes despite decent coverage by Stony Brook. In the process, they built a quick 9-point lead, but the Seawolves didn’t blink.

Instead, Bryan Dougher unloaded 20 points for the second consecutive game and Stony Brook University ended Boston’s seven game winning streak to take over sole possession of first place in the America East with a 66-57 win over their archrivals.

The game was labeled a sell-out by the Stony Brook Athletics Department over a week ago, and students clamored for a coveted entrance wristband all week, lining up at the Seawolves’ previous home game on Wednesday to claim a ticket. By tipoff, Pritchard gymnasium was packed to the brim, and students lined the floor to catch a glimpse of what will likely remain the biggest regular season home game of the year.

And the performance on the court did not disappoint the fans, or the national audience watching on ESPNU and ESPN3.com. The Seawolves got huge offensive contributions from their starters, who all contributed at least 7 points in Stony Brook’s first win over Boston in six tries dating back to the 2009-2010 season. The bench, which was a none-factor in their first meeting earlier this season, also chipped in 13 points.

More after the jump

But it was Stony Brook’s defense that once again proved to be the difference maker, holding Boston to just 57 points, the Terriers’ second lowest total this season in conference play. In games where Stony Brook is able to hold opponents below the 60-point mark, they are a perfect 11-0 this year.

It certainly didn’t look like a defensive affair early on. Boston, led by Darryl Partin, sank its first five three point attempts, and opened the game with a 19-10 run. But Stony Brook hung on, never letting Boston break open the game. Once Boston finally cooled off at around the 10-minute mark, the Seawolves began chipping away, and on Dougher’s first points of the night claimed its first lead.

The momentum remained squarely with Stony Brook heading into the locker room, and they busted out of the second half on a 10-0 run to build themselves a comfortable 13 point lead with just over 14 minutes left in the game. But in a matchup of conference heavyweights, no lead is safe.

You didn’t have to remind Coach Steve Pikiell of that: he was a witness to Stony Brook’s gut-wrenching loss at Agganis Arena during the America East championship game last March, when Stony Brook held a 15 point lead over Boston University only to see it vanish in the final seconds, costing the program its first shot at the NCAA tournament.

And for more than six excruciating minutes in the second half, Stony Brook fans relived those torturous moments. Boston erased its 13-point deficit with a 17-0 run, and regained control of the game. Once again, however, the Seawolves did not throw in the towel, snapping out of their funk and rebuilding a small lead heading into the final minutes. With the game on the line, Dougher, Tommy Brenton and Marcus Rouse sank crucial free throws to build a two-possession lead in the last minutes.

As good as Boston started the game, that’s how abysmal they were from the charity stripe. As a team, they shot just 7 of 17, good for 41%. Stony Brook meanwhile sank 19 of 28 (68%). Consistency with their free throws and out-rebounding the Terriers separated Stony Brook offensively. And their stellar play inside the paint was once again able to stymie Boston’s efforts to put the game out of reach.

The win propels Stony Brook (13-7, 8-1) into sole possession of first place in America East, certainly a welcome position but ultimately one that matters very little unless the Seawolves make their second straight appearance in the America East championship game, which is hosted by highest remaining seed. The top ranked team heading into the America East tournament has failed to get out of the semifinals in each of the last two years.

After a matchup against lowly Binghamton, which is still seeking its first win of the season, Stony Brook has a tough schedule, with away games at very good Albany and Vermont teams.