Seawolves test Northwestern before losing
Northwestern guard Drew Crawford, left, drives to the basket against Stony Brook forward Al Rapier, right, during the first half. (Nov. 25, 2011) Credit: AP
This was a loss that Stony Brook could come away from with some positives.
"I thought we played very well today,'' coach Steve Pikiell said after his team cut a 10-point deficit to three before falling to Big Ten member Northwestern, 63-58, Friday in Evanston, Ill. "We had great rebounding and our defense really limited their ability to make layups, which they've been doing all season. Give credit to Northwestern. They're a good team that made big plays to win.''
After falling behind 49-39, the Seawolves got back-to-back layups from Dallis Joyner and a three-pointer from Leonard Hayes to move within 51-46 with 5:40 to play.
Bryan Dougher's three-pointer and Joyner's free throw made it 55-52. But JerShon Cobb hit a three-pointer with 1:24 remaining to put the Wildcats up by six.
Dave Coley's only basket of the game made it 58-54, but Northwestern hit its free throws down the stretch.
Joyner and Hayes scored 13 points each and Dougher had 12 for the Seawolves (2-3), who scored the first eight points of the game. Sophomore guard Coley had a career-high 12 rebounds to lead Stony Brook, which outrebounded the Wildcats 42-31 and had 17 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points.
Stony Brook's Al Rapier, playing in front of numerous family members and friends, added nine points and Hayes, a junior, had a career-high five assists.
John Shurna led the Wildcats (5-0) with 20 points and freshman Dave Sobolewski added 16. Drew Crawford had 12 points and seven rebounds for Northwestern, which sank nine three-pointers.
Dougher and Hayes hit three-pointers as Stony Brook took an 8-0 lead, but Northwestern responded with a 14-0 run to go ahead 20-13. Hayes' three-pointer gave Stony Brook its last lead of the game at 28-27 before Shurna's three-pointer produced a 30-28 halftime lead for Northwestern.
