On this day 15 years ago, the boys’ basketball team avenged a 56-43 defeat they suffered two weeks earlier by taking down East Hampton, 68-59. The Bears were put on their heels as they fell behind 8-16 at the end of the first quarter, but they battled back in the second frame. With balanced scoring from Charlie Hanchett (5 points), Robbie Marvin (3 points), Chris Meserole (3 points), Jeremy Meserole (3 points), and Matt Spooner (2 points), the Brook won the quarter 16-12 to trail by only four at the break. Marvin added another 7 in the third quarter as the Bears took it 14-13, leaving them down 38-41 entering the decisive period.

The final eight minutes saw three lead changes and four ties as both teams battled for control. With the Bears trailing 45-50 and just 3:11 remaining, Paul Ciofrone and Marvin combined forces on a 9-0 run that gave them a 54-50 edge with 51 seconds left. The Blue and White still led 56-52 with 11 seconds left when the unthinkable occurred. A Bonacker connected on a 3-pointer while drawing the foul and completed the 4-point play to force overtime.

Though the Bears must have been demoralized by the squandered opportunity, they answered the call with vigor. During the five-minute overtime period, the Bonackers simply had no answer for Marvin who led an offensive explosion for the Brook. The point guard poured in 10 points and was the catalyst in a game-sealing 8-0 run that turned a narrow 60-59 advantage into a comfortable win. Marvin finished with a game-high 35 points that included four 3-pointers. Chris Meserole added 10 and Jeremy Meserole and Ciofrone each pitched in with 7.

Robbie Marvin had five points as Stony Brook scored the final eight points of overtime on free throws to defeat East Hampton, 68-59. Paul Ciofrone hit a free throw at 30 seconds of overtime and Marvin added a three-point play 35 seconds later as Stony Brook (4-5) took a 60-56 lead. Antoine Foster answered with a three-pointer to cut the East Hampton (4-6) deficit to one point, but Marvin hit two free throws to ignite the game-ending run. Marvin finished with 35 points and six steals.

~ Newsday

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