STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Host Stony Brook (19-10, 10-4 AE) used an 11-1 run midway through the second half to create a double-digit cushion and the Seawolves fended off Binghamton basketball (5-25, 4-11 AE) down the stretch 64-52 in an ESPN3 game Saturday night at the Island Federal Credit Union Arena.


Binghamton outrebounded the eighth-ranked rebounding team in the nation but 17 turnovers and 4-for-17 shooting from beyond the arc factored into in the loss. Stony Brook drilled 9-of-19 from beyond the arc.


Freshman forward Willie Rodriguez recorded his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds and classmate Romello Walker tallied a team-high 17 points. Rodriguez added five assists.


Rodriguez had a putback with 12:41 that brought BU to within six, 45-39. But the Seawolves hit three three-pointers to spark the 11-1 run. The Bearcats couldn't pull it back within single digits the rest of the way.


"I'm proud of our effort tonight," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "Our kids fought 'tooth and nail'. We outrebounded them, which shows how hard we played. I thought we were really competitive. We've grown up a lot. Give Stony Brook credit ... they played great tonight."


Stony Brook opened the second half with an 11-2 run – thanks to three treys in a 2:26 span – to stretch a five-point halftime lead.


The Bearcats shook off a 9-2 hole to start the game and finished the first half strong, scoring the last four points to pull within five, 32-27. Sophomore forward Willie Rodriguez led an aggressive assault on the glass with eight rebounds as BU held a 20-15 rebound advantage on a Stony Brook team that ranks eighth in the nation in rebound margin. Sophomore guard Marlon Beck hit a pair of threes and led BU with eight points. Ten turnovers, including five in the first 7:11, limited BU's production. Binghamton committed just four turnovers all game in Wednesday's win over Vermont.


The Bearcats have one week off before finishing off their regular season by hosting UMBC on Senior Day on Feb. 28. Jabrille Williams, Chris Rice and Rob Mansell will be honored pre-game.


(Courtesy: Binghamton Athletics)