STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Interstat) — Erik Pratt scored 34 points to lead Stony Brook to a 79-72 men’s basketball victory over Hampton on Saturday at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The Seawolves (17-11, Colonial) avenged a December loss to the Pirates (12-16) by shooting 54.3% from the floor and making 20 free throws. Pratt, a 6-foot-5 guard from Lake Worth, Florida, added six rebounds. Richard Goods contributed 15 points and seven rebounds for Stony Brook. Michael Eley led Hampton with 17 points. The Pirates shot just 42.4% overall and were outscored 20-14 at the foul line despite forcing 16 turnovers. Stony Brook’s efficient offense, posting a 110.0 rating on 72 possessions, proved decisive.

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Interstat) — Erik Pratt scored a game-high 34 points and Stony Brook executed with precision down the stretch to fend off a persistent Hampton squad 79-72 in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game Saturday at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The Seawolves, who avenged a three-point loss at Hampton in late December, improved to 17-11 overall. The Pirates dropped to 12-16. In a contest defined by offensive efficiency and critical defensive stands, Stony Brook’s ability to convert at the free-throw line proved decisive. The Seawolves made 20 of 27 attempts from the stripe, including a series of clutch makes in the final minute to seal the victory. Hampton, meanwhile, was held to an offensive rating of 98.6 points per 100 possessions, hampered by 42.4% shooting from the field compared to Stony Brook’s 54.3%. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final 90 seconds with Stony Brook clinging to a 71-69 lead. After a Rob Brown three-pointer extended the margin to five, Hampton’s Michael Eley answered with a deep three-pointer of his own to pull the Pirates within 74-72 with 11 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbounds play, Hampton was forced to foul Andrej Shoshkikj, who calmly sank both free throws. Following a missed Hampton three-pointer, Pratt was fouled and made two more free throws with six seconds left to provide the final margin. Pratt, a 6-foot-5 guard from Lake Worth, Florida, was the catalyst throughout, adding six rebounds and two assists to his scoring output. His performance continued a strong stretch, coming off a 21-point effort in a win over Drexel earlier in the week. Richard Goods provided crucial interior support for Stony Brook with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Shoshkikj contributed 14 points, three assists and three steals. Hampton’s effort was led by Michael Eley, who came off the bench to score 17 points in just 18 minutes. Kody Williams orchestrated the offense with 12 points and six assists, and Xzavier Long added 12 points and four rebounds. The Pirates forced 16 turnovers, converting them into 15 points, but were ultimately undone by Stony Brook’s superior shooting and a 7-2 disadvantage in blocked shots. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes. Hampton built an early 8-3 advantage behind two three-pointers from Etienne Strothers, but Stony Brook responded with a 12-2 run, capped by a Pratt three-pointer, to take a 15-10 lead. The Pirates chipped away, and the teams entered halftime tied at 33 after Ethan Simmon connected on a three-pointer for the Seawolves in the closing seconds. Stony Brook emerged from the break with greater urgency, opening the second half on an 8-0 run fueled by a Shoshkikj three-pointer and aggressive defense. Hampton refused to wilt, methodically climbing back into the game behind Eley’s scoring bursts. The Pirates tied the game at 57 on a Kody Williams three-pointer with 9:14 remaining and again at 59 on a Xzavier Long dunk minutes later. Each time Hampton drew even, Pratt had an answer. His driving layup with 8:20 left broke the 59-59 tie, and he followed with a steal and assist on a Shoshkikj layup to push the lead to four. Hampton stayed within one possession for the next five minutes, but could never regain the lead, as Stony Brook’s composure at the line in the final two minutes ultimately secured the win. The game was a statistical contrast. While both teams scored 30 points in the paint and 15 points off turnovers, Stony Brook’s significant advantages in field goal percentage and free-throw makes provided the separation. The Seawolves also won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Hampton 29-24 despite the Pirates grabbing eight offensive boards. With the victory, Stony Brook maintains its position in the upper tier of the CAA standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. Hampton, despite the loss, showed resilience in a tough road environment but continues to search for consistency after losing three of its last four games. Both teams return to action on Thursday. Stony Brook travels to face Monmouth, while Hampton hosts College of Charleston.

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup is set for Saturday when the Stony Brook Seawolves host the Hampton Pirates at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The Seawolves (16-11) enter the contest looking to solidify their position in the conference standings and build momentum for the upcoming tournament. They are coming off a 72-69 home victory over Drexel on Monday, led by 21 points from Erik Pratt and 17 from Richard Goods. Stony Brook has shown resilience at home, with recent wins over Northeastern and a double-overtime thriller against College of Charleston in January. Hampton (12-14) aims to play spoiler and climb back to .500, fresh off a heartbreaking 71-70 road loss to North Carolina A&T on Feb. 13. The Pirates have demonstrated an ability to compete, with recent wins over William & Mary and a double-overtime victory against Elon. A key storyline will be the rematch of a Dec. 29 meeting, which Hampton won 62-59. The Pirates will rely heavily on forward Xzavier Long, who is coming off a strong 17-point, 6-rebound performance in the loss to North Carolina A&T and recorded a 14-rebound double-double against William & Mary on Feb. 7. Stony Brook will counter with guard Andrej Shoshkikj, a consistent offensive threat who scored 19 points in a win at Campbell on Jan. 29 and 17 points in a victory at Elon on Jan. 31. His backcourt battle with Hampton’s Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt, who had 17 points and 4 assists in the last outing, will be critical. The Seawolves hold the edge in overall record and have been strong on their home floor. However, Hampton’s recent head-to-head victory and its capacity for tight games, having played in four overtime contests this season, suggest a competitive affair. Stony Brook’s offensive firepower, which includes four players scoring in double figures in its last win, will be tested by a Hampton team fighting to keep its season alive. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 21.