BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Candon Rusin scored a career-high 25 points and Clancy Rugg added 19 with 15 rebounds as Vermont defeated Stony Brook on Friday night to move into the America East Conference lead.

The Catamounts (12-6, 5-1) have a half-game edge over Albany and the Seawolves (13-5, 4-1), whom they defeated in last season's conference tournament final.

Rusin scored eight points during a 12-0 run early in the second half that gave Vermont a 44-29 advantage.

Stony Brook, after trailing by as many as 18 points, got to within four, 65-61 with 2:48 left, after a dunk by Tommy Brenton. But Sandro Carissimo responded with a layup and two free throws on Vermont's next two possessions for an eight-point lead.

Brian Voelkel had six assists for Vermont, giving him 405 for his career.

Jameel Warney and Dave Coley scored 15 points apiece for Stony Brook, with Warney getting 10 rebounds.