Dec. 9, 2000

Box Score

New York, N.Y. - It was showtime in upper Manhattan on Saturday night, but it wasn't at the Apollo Theatre. Instead, it was the Leon Brisport show held at Levien Gymnasium on the campus of Columbia University. The senior center registered a career-high 35 points and 13 rebounds to lead Stony Brook to a 67-63 overtime win over Columbia. He did so on 7-10 shooting and connecting on an incredible 21-of-25 free throw attempts. His performance set a new standard as it was the most points ever scored and the most free throws ever attempted by a visiting player in Levien Gymnasium.

The game started out slow for Stony Brook as the Seawolves shot only 27 percent from the field in the first half, knocking down only six baskets in the first 20 minutes. But it was Brisport who kept the Seawolves in it. Down 15-11, he scored five straight points to give the Seawolves the lead with 7:54 remaining in the first half. Later, he connected on two free throws to push Stony Brook's lead to 25-19 with over two minutes remaining. Columbia answered right back with two baskets by Chris Wiedemann to pull the Lions within 25-23 at the break. Brisport finished the half with 13 points, including 7-7 from the free throw line.

The second half continued to be a see-saw battle that saw the game tied on seven occasions and the lead change hands four times. Stony Brook twice held a five-point lead, the latest coming with 6:00 remaining when D.J. Munir nailed a three-pointer to put SB ahead 47-42. Craig Austin answered right back with a three of his own to ignite a 5-0 Lions run that knotted the score at 47.

With less than three minutes to go and Stony Brook clinging to a 51-50 lead, Columbia got a pair of free throws from Maurice Murphy and added another from Austin to surge ahead 53-51 with a minute remaining.

On the next possession for Stony Brook, Munir drove the lane and was fouled. He calmly hit two free throws with 37 seconds left and the game was tied at 53. Columbia missed on the ensuing possession and Brisport pulled down the rebound, was fouled and went to the free throw line. He hit both attempts to give SB the lead 55-53 with 22 ticks on the clock.

Columbia would not go away, however, and it was the Lions' Austin that continued to haunt the Seawolves. As the clock dwindled under 10 seconds, he drove the lane and hit a running layup with four seconds left that sent the game to overtime.

In the overtime, Brisport took over. He scored Stony Brook's first eight points as the Seawolves took control in the extra session jumping out to a 63-58 advantage. A three-pointer by Murphy got the Lions with 63-61, but Chris Balliro's lay up with 28 seconds to go and a pair of free throws by Munir sealed Stony Brook's fourth win of the year.

Brisport's 25 free throw attempts equalled the Stony Brook single-game record held by Emeka Smith. Smith hit 23-of-25 free throws against Lehman on December 7, 1991.

With the victory, the Seawolves improve to 4-3 on the year. Last season, the Seawolves did not register their fourth victory until January 15. Stony Brook is back in action again on Wednesday night when they travel to Maryland-Eastern Shore. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.