April 16, 2001

Stony Brook, NY -- - Citing personal reasons for her decision, sophomore point guard Jessica Burch has decided to transfer following the completion of the academic year, the women's basketball program announced Monday.

Burch - the single season and single game steals leader at the University - played in 25 of the team's 28 games this season. She averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 steals and 3.6 assists per outing and was named the Independent Conference Defensive Player of the Year, collecting 93 steals. She finished seventh nationally in that category. Burch also led the team in assists with 94.

She registered 10 steals against American University at home on December 11, setting a single game record for steals in a game.

Burch came to Stony Brook following a four-year career in the illustrious Christ the King women's basketball program.

As a freshman at Stony Brook, she played in 27 games, averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 steals. Her 111 thefts was the third best per game average in the NCAA and set a new single season record at Stony Brook. Burch's efforts helped Stony Brook to an 18-10 record during its first season at the Division I level.

Burch will leave Stony Brook fourth all-time on its career steals list with 204.

Burch's single-game highest point total came when she scored 20 in a victory over Stetson during the Hatter Classic in December of 1999.