Kenan Sarvan scores 29 points to lead Stony Brook men's basketball victory
Stony Brook forward Kenan Sarvan draws a foul against Miami-Hamilton's Michael Keehan during a men's basketball game at Island Federal Arena on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
A new face made the difference for the Stony Brook men’s basketball team on Friday night.
Kenan Sarvan, a transfer from Mineral Area College in Missouri, led the Seawolves to an 86-65 win over Division II’s Miami Hamilton (Ohio). The 6-10 Netherlands native had 29 points and four assists in his first game at Island Federal Arena.
“My teammates just gave me the ball at the right time,” Sarvan said. “Tonight I was the hot hand, but it won’t be every day. We just gotta keep sharing the ball and find the open man.”
Behind Sarvan’s 69% shooting, Stony Brook (1-1) never trailed. Five players scored in double figures for the Seawolves, who scored 80 or more points in 12 games last season.
“Going into the game, I thought that if we won by double figures, it meant we played well,” coach Geno Ford said. “Winning by 20 I’m super- thrilled about.”
After mustering only 45 points in its season-opening loss to Florida on Monday, Stony Brook scored 40 in the first half against Miami Hamilton.
The Seawolves shot 53% from the field through the first 20 minutes and built a sizable lead behind a 16-2 run. Sarvan scored 10 points in the half, helping the Seawolves to a 40-24 halftime lead.
Miami Hamilton then started the second half with 10 consecutive points in less than two minutes. The Harriers’ offense leaned on guard King Goss, who finished with 29 points.
“I wasn’t happy with our competitive spirit to start the second half,” said Ford, who added that the Seawolves became comfortable with their lead. “I just thought we didn’t have the right mentality to start the second half. We talked about it, we said all the right stuff, but we just didn’t execute.”
The lull didn’t last long. Paced by three three-pointers by Sarvan, the Seawolves opened a new double-digit lead with a 12-1 run.
Long Island Lutheran graduate Tyler Stephenson-Moore sat for only two minutes and scored 14 points for Stony Brook. The former first-team All-Long Island guard added eight rebounds.
Stony Brook’s Frankie Policelli registered a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
