Stony Brook beats USMMA, 103-32
Jameel Warney #20 of Stony Brook goes up for a layup in the first half of a game against the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Nov. 14, 2015. Credit: Daniel De Mato
The final score was exactly what you would expect when a potentially powerful mid-major program faces a Division III opponent. Stony Brook filled the boxscore with all manner of outrageous numbers and romped to a season-opening 103-32 victory over U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Saturday night at Island FCU Arena.
But the most impressive part was the talent gap -- not between the Seawolves and USMMA but between the Seawolves and last season's 23-12 team. The return of wing man Ahmad Walker and the addition of transfer point guard Lucas Woodhouse to the starting lineup suddenly makes Stony Brook a very talented, deep and more experienced team.
Carson Puriefoy III, who had 19 points, three assists and three steals, benefited as much as anyone because he now has two players who can aid with the ballhandling and set him up to play off the ball. He noticed.
"It takes a bunch of pressure off, having two point guards next to me," Puriefoy said. "Both can pass and shoot. It definitely opens things up . . . It definitely was a confidence-builder. We know we can get out and score. We have a bunch of different weapons. Coming off the bench, too."
Big man Jameel Warney, who totaled 16 points and 14 rebounds, was another benefactor of the passing skills of Walker and Woodhouse, as well as the offensive threats they pose. "More shots for me," Warney said with a broad grin. "That's great. Coach told me to be more aggressive. I love having those three good passers."
Walker, who left after his freshman year to attend a junior college in Kansas, returned with a major impact, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and six assists and shooting 4-for-4. "It was great to be back, a great environment," he said. "My teammates allowed me to be aggressive."
Woodhouse, who was fifth in the country with 6.0 assists per game two years ago for Longwood, was a model of efficiency with 10 points (3-for-3 shooting, including two three-pointers), three assists and two steals. "If I can do that every night," he said, "it would be good."
Stony Brook was without starting forward Rayshaun McGrew, who was away visiting his ill mother. Roland Nyama (12 points, nine rebounds) and Deshaun Thrower (11 points), who both started last season, played well off the bench. Tyrell Sturdivant added 13 rebounds to go with his seven points.
The game was little more than a glorified scrimmage, so why schedule a D-III opponent? The reason simply is that few Division I programs are willing to play on Stony Brook's floor. So coach Steve Pikiell scheduled USMMA -- coached by Stony Brook grad Steve Hayn -- from nearby Kings Point.
Under the circumstances, it provided a nice warmup for the Seawolves' upcoming three-game road trip to Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky and Loyola Maryland.
SBU opened a quick 11-0 lead, starting with a five-point possession in which Warney scored a layup on a feed from Walker, then missed a foul shot that was rebounded by Walker, who fed Woodhouse for a three-pointer from the top of the arc.
Just like that, Walker and Woodhouse had made themselves comfortable as new starters.
"They're versatile and they play good defense," Pikiell said of Walker and Woodhouse. "They're good passers and they make plays. They're mature, and they've been through the wars. We're a lot older team now."
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
