Stony Brook nets conference honors
Stony Brook after winning the American East regular season title.
From a 4-24 in his first season in 2005-2006 to America East coach of the year in 2012, Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell has come a long way. Pikiell was announced the winner of the award by league officials on Friday.
Pikiell, in his seventh season at the school, led the Seawolves (20-8, 14-2) to their second 20-plus win season and their second regular season conference title in the last three years. It was also the third winning season in the last four for the Seawolves.
Capturing the regular season America East regular season title secured an automatic NIT berth, the second in school history.
Known for his defensive approach to the game, Pikiell squad led the America East in scoring defense (59.1), scoring margin (+8.3), rebounding margin (+7.6) and turnover margin (+1.29).
His players followed his lead as junior Tommy Brenton was an All-America first team selection as well as the conference’s defensive player of the year.
The 6-5 junior bounced back from missing the entire 2010-11 season with a knee injury. He led the Seawolves in rebounding (7.8/game), assists (92), steals (42) and free throws made (74) while also shooting 57 percent from the field. He is tied for third in America East in rebounding, ninth in assists (3.3/game), fourth in steals (1.5/game), sixth in assist/turnover ratio (1.6) and tied for second in offensive rebounding (3.0/game).
Teammate Bryan Dougher was named to the All-America East first team after leading the Seawolves in scoring (13.4 ppg). The 6-foot senior led the America East in three-pointers made per game (2.8) and was seventh in three-point percentage (.373). Dougher became Stony Brook’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (327) and is 30 points from becoming the program’s all-time Division I leading scorer.
Senior forward Dallis Joyner was an All-America East third team. Joyner averaged 8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds and led the America East in field goal percentage (59).
The Seawolves are the top seed in the America East tournament and will face No. 9 Binghamton in a quarterfinal on Saturday at noon.
