Seawolves Lose to UMES, to Play Villanova Without Lead Scorer

By Steven Roberts

The Stony Brook Seawolves sorely missed junior guard Ricky Lucas last night. Lucas’ absence was evident in the Seawolves 64-58 loss to the UMES Hawks.

     “It hurts when your leading scorer isn’t in uniform,” said Seawolves’ head coach Steve Pikiell. The 6-foot-4inch Lucas sat out last season after transferring from George Washington with Pikiell. He was starting to shine this season. Lucas had been averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game before rolling his ankle in the team’s win at Columbia.

    Stony Brook struggled from the field with out him. The games first five minutes saw the Seawolves score only one field goal, as UMES jumped out to 14-2 lead. The Seawolves shot 39 percent from the field for the game.

    The Seawolves other top scorer, Mitchell Beauford, didn’t play up to par either. Coming into last night, Beauford also averaged about 19 points per. He was only able to muster 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting from the field.

    “Mitch didn’t let the game come to him tonight,” Pikiell said. He was forcing up his shot all night. Beauford was only able to penetrate but so far before the Hawks defense collapse on him. Pikiell said he was trying to compensate for Lucas’ absence.

    Mike Popoko stepped up with Lucas out of the line-up. Popoko, a senior forward, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He was the Seawolves leading scorer, shooting 6-of-11 from the field.

     “Some of the guys think they have to make up for Ricky’s absence,” Pikiell said. Minus Beauford and Popoko, the remaining Seawolves shot 12-of-32 from the field for 37 percent. Many were given a chance to play with Lucas injured. They didn’t make the most of it, however; Many of them were forcing up shots and being reckless with the ball.

    The Seawolves committed 17 turnovers, which lead to 18 UMES points. These points were huge, especially considering the Hawks were only shooting 44 percent from the field.     The loss brings Stony Brook to 3-3 on the season. “Unfortunately, that’s where our program is right now, one step forward, one step backward.” Pikiell said.

    Coach Pikiell said it didn’t look good for Lucas’ return in Thursday’s game against Big East powerhouse Villanova. Stony Brook was already an underdog when Lucas was still in the line up. Pikiell denied that the team had looked past UMES to Thursday’s home game against Villanova.  “We’re not in the position to look past anybody.”