Seconds later, the 6-foot-11 Slovakian led the fast break and threw down his second dunk in 16 seconds, also the second of the season. Let that sink in.
The momentum swung as the Seawolves led by more than five for the rest of the second half. The game was firmly in Stony Brook’s hands and the team defeated UMBC 83-73.
After a series of passes, sophomore guard Timmy Rose netted a wide open three point shot with 14 seconds left in the contest, a nail in Stony Brook’s coffin.
Thursday night’s 59-56 upset win against New Hampshire was not a typical Stony Brook win. Success did not stem from beyond the arc, but rather from inside the paint.
Rutgers would go on its 13-0 run and win the game, giving Pikiell one last win in IFCU after leading Stony Brook to the America East Championship last season.
On Saturday night, against Northeastern, the Seawolves nearly lost on a buzzer-beater again, but a last second three point attempt missed and Stony Brook won, 77-75.
All things considered, there are plenty of positives that can be taken from the start of the season, as several candidates have emerged as the team’s go-to scorer.
