Tykei Greene, Anthony Roberts, Stony Brook hold off Hartford rally
Stony Brook Seawolves guard Tykei Greene shoots a free throw against the Hartford Hawks in the first half of an NCAA America East men's basketball game at Island Federal Arena on Saturday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It was a moment that encapsulated the last month of the season for Tykei Greene.
The junior guard had a full head of steam sprinting toward the basket in front of Stony Brook’s bench. Teammates and defenders were nowhere in sight. The occasion called for showtime.
Green leaped, twisted his body almost 180 degrees and double-pumped before throwing down a reverse two-handed jam that would rival any dunk at the NBA Dunk Contest in Cleveland.
"He’s been just outstanding," Stony Brook coach Geno Ford said a few minutes after the Seawolves’ 88-82 win over Hartford on Saturday at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.
Anthony Roberts led Stony Brook with 27 points and Greene had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Stephenson-Moore added 17 points.
"He’s played like a first team all-league guy for a month," Ford said of Greene. "His performance in the last eight ballgames, if you just pulled those stats, they’re as good as anybody in the conference."
And on this night, Stony Brook needed Greene to lead the way to its third win in its last four games.
Soon after Greene’s dunk, Hartford outscored the Seawolves 34-22 in a span of 11:14 to cut the lead from 13 to one. But
Stony Brook outscored Hartford 16-11 in the final 5:11.
"When we win," Ford said, "we outscore you."
Facing a team that is allowing opponents to make 35.3% of their three-point attempts, the Seawolves’ plan of attack was clear from the opening tip: Shoot the three. Make the three.
Stony Brook’s first four baskets were three-pointers. It took Jaden Sayles’ free throw 5:26 into the game for the Seawolves to record a point that was not a three-pointer. Stephenson-Moore’s layup 28 seconds later was the first basket from the field that was not a three.
Stony Brook led 42-30 at the half after shooting 6-for-12 from three-point range and 9-for-18 from inside the arc. The Seawolves also limited the nation’s 40th-best three-point team to 1-for-14 shooting in the first half from outside the arc.
"We did some good things defensively early," Ford said.
Stony Brook, which improved to 16-11 overall and 8-6 in the America East Conference, has four games remaining this season, beginning with Sunday’s rematch with the Hawks at Reich Family Pavilion in West Hartford.
Austin Williams led the Hawks (8-17, 6-7) with 27 points. David Shriver added 16, Moses Flowers contributed 14 and Traci Carter had 10.
