STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Host Stony Brook (17-10, 12-2 America East) stretched a 14-point halftime lead with a 16-3 run to open the second half and the second-place Sealwolves defeated Binghamton (12-17, 3-11 AE) 76-55 Saturday night at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. 

The Bearcats, who are just one of two America East teams to beat Stony Brook this year, started strong. Binghamton hit 5-of-11 shots and kept within two of the Seawolves, 14-12, nine minutes into the contest. But Stony Brook went on an 11-2 run to build a double-digit lead. 

Buckets by sophomore guard Timmy Rose and junior center Bobby Ahearn brought BU to within seven, 27-20, with four minutes left before the Seawolves ended the half with an 11-4 run to take a 38-24 cushion into break. 

Stony Brook opened the second half with a 16-3 run to extend its lead to 27, 54-27 as BU misfired on 10-of-12 shots to start the period.

"We played hard for 40 minutes against a very good team," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "We're having a hard time offensively right now and we couldn't string together enough baskets to enforce our will with the press, which is what gave us the edge in the first meeting with them."

Senior guard Marlon Beck and junior center Dusan Perovic had 12 points apiece. Sophomore center Thomas Bruce added eight points. 

Binghamton next plays at Hartford on Wednesday.