Seawolves deliver passion and emotion during buildup to NCAA bout

Stony Brook students, dressed up in costumes and holding signs, cheer on their team as the American East championship game begins. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

The Stony Brook Dance Team cheers on the Seawolves from courtside. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans raise signs in support of their team. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team make the "for three" sign as their teammates score a 3-point goal against Vermont. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook students hold up a sign and hat referencing Donald Trump's presidential campaign slogan in support for their team. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

A Stony Brook fan holds up a sign during the Men's Basketball America East championship game versus Vermont. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Senior guard Carson Puriefoy (No. 10, above) rests for a moment as his team faces a large point deficit after the first half. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team watch on as their teammates battle back a 15-point deficit during their championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Dan Rickard shouts commands from the sideline as the Seawolves pushes back the Catamounts' lead during their championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

The Stony Brook Cheerleading team performs as the championship game is tied up for the second time in two minutes. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans display signs showing support for individual members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team during their championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans at a Seawolves basketball game in 2016. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/STATESMAN FILE

Young Stony Brook fans hold up a poster signed by members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team during their championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Samuel Stanley III, the son of Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., watches on as the Seawolves maintain a one-point lead over Vermont during the championship game with less than three minutes of game time. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans silently hold their arms up in support of senior guard Carson Puriefoy as he takes a free throw shot. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans roar as Jameel Warney scores a layup shot against Vermont, earning the Seawolves a three point lead. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook senior forward Jameel Warney (No. 20, above), glances up at the scoreboard after he scores another layup, widening the Seawolves' lead to five points. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Junior guard Ahmad Walker (No. 5, right) and senior forward Rayshaun McGrew embrace as senior guard Carson Puriefoy (No. 10, left) celebrates with five seconds left on the game clock and a score of 80 - 74. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Stony Brook fans storm the court to celebrate their comeback victory against Vermont in the America East Men's Basketball championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Director of Seawolves United Vincent Accardi celebrates after Stony Brook's victory in the America East championship game. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Mascots join together to celebrate Stony Brook's victory. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team hold up their championship trophy after defeating Vermont. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron (above, left) and University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. (above, center) pose with the America East championship trophy to celebrate Stony Brook's victory. CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/THE STATESMAN

The Stony Brook Men's Basketball team poses with the team's championship trophy and banner at Sunday Selection for the NCAA tournament. ANDREW EICHENHOLZ/THE STATESMAN

Members of the Stony Brook Men's Basketball team moments before the announcement that they would face Kentucky in their first tournament matchup in Des Moines, Iowa. ANDREW EICHENHOLZ/THE STATESMAN

Fans hold up a sign outside of Island Federal Credit Union Arena to send off the Stony Brook Basketball team on Tuesday, March 15. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

Fans gather as they wait for the Seawolves to exit the arena. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

The Stony Brook Men's Basketball team throws shirts at the cheering fans who were waiting for them. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

The team stands on the steps of Island Federal Credit Union Arena as they are surrounded by media and cheering fans. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron says a few words outside of the Island Federal Credit Union Arena. KRYSTEN MASSA/STATESMAN FILE

Senior guard Carson Puriefoy, above, thanks the fans who have been supporting the team all season. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

Head coach Steve Pikiell, above, is the last to speak before the team heads off to the airport. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

Fans sport their red and are excited to see the team head out to the NCAA Tournament. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

A crowd of fans flood the sidewalk outside of Island Federal Credit Union Arena. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN

Councilwoman Valerie Cartwright joins the rally to send the team off to the NCAA Tournament. KRYSTEN MASSA/THE STATESMAN.