Feb. 8, 2002
BACKDROP: Stony Brook faces Maine for the second time this season as the Seawolves close out a three-game road swing today. Stony Brook comes off a 55-46 defeat of Albany, improving its conference record to 5-3 which is good for third-place in the standings.
ABOUT THE BLACK BEARS: Maine suffered its second straight loss on Tuesday, falling to Boston University by a score of 76-65. The Black Bears have dropped three of their last four games, as all three setbacks came away from home. Maine is led by sophomore forward Heather Ernest's 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while freshman guard Missy Traversi contributes 10.5 points and 2.9 assists. Freshman forward Monica Peterson leads the Black Bears on the boards with 8.0 caroms per game.
THE SERIES: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 2-0, including a 60-52 victory in the America East Conference opener for both teams on Jan. 6.
LAST MEETING: Stony Brook used a 9-4 run in the final five minutes of play to earn a 60-52 victory in the Seawolves' America East Conference opener against Maine on Jan. 6. The Seawolves snapped Maine's three-game winning streak while recording their fourth straight win and sixth in their last seven games. Although the Seawolves hit just 19-of-29 free throws (65 percent) during the game, Stony Brook nailed 5-of-6, including 4-of-4 by Theresa LoParrino, in the final five minutes to stop the Black Bears' rally. Maine had cut the lead to just three, 51-48, with 5:09 left to play.
Jill George's seven points and 12 rebounds in the second half helped Stony Brook stretch its lead to 44-34, its largest lead of the game, with 11:36 left to play. After the Seawolves scored the first basket of the game, it was Maine which led most of the first half, until a Danielle DeGiorgio layup gave the Seawolves a 20-19 edge with 5:22 before the break. Maine had its last lead at 30-29 with 16:41 remaining in the game. Sherry Jordan led the Seawolves with 19 points and also recorded six rebounds and four steals. George's 16 rebounds set a new career-high and tied the second-best performance in a game in Stony Brook women's basketball history. George also chipped in with 11 points for her third double-double this season. LoParrino struggled from the field, hitting just 1-of-15 field goals, but nailed 10-of-12 free throws en route to 13 points. For Maine, it was Heather Earnest leading the way with 23 points and 10 boards, while Monica Peterson chipped in with 11 points.
INJURY UPDATE: For the first time this season, the Seawolves will be at full strength against Maine. Starting point guard Theresa LoParrino has completely recovered from a sprained ankle suffered prior to the Northeastern game on Jan. 11 . Meanwhile, sophomore guard Maggie Triggs returned seven games ago after recovering from a preseason stress fracture, playing in five of those contests. After a myriad of injuries so far this season, junior Malica Jibowu should dress for just the second time all year today. Just two Seawolves remain out of commission--freshman Danyelle Ingram and sophomore Danielle Mosley. Ingram is out indefinitely after surgery on a dislocated shoulder, which she reinjured against UPenn on Nov. 30. Danielle Mosley also continues to recuperate from ACL surgery she had in August.
LAST TIME OUT: Danielle DeGiorgio had 17 points and Sherry Jordan added 16 in leading Stony Brook to a 55-46 America East Conference victory over Albany. Stony Brook led 47-43 with 4:11 remaining, when Jordan converted a three-point play as she was fouled on an 8-foot jumper in the lane. Jordan, who had 11 second-half points, would make a steal on Albany's next possession. Erika Shipley, who scored 10, later hit a fastbreak layup for a 52-43 advantage. In the opening period, the Seawolves ran off nine straight points to break an early tie. DeGiorgio tallied seven markers in that spurt. Her follow shot in the lane gave Stony Brook a 14-5 lead. Albany would close within 20-19, when Danielle Hutcheson put back a missed shot. DeGiorgio, who grabbed eight rebounds, helped Stony Brook score nine of the period's final 13 points to take a 29-23 lead at the intermission. She canned a left baseline jumper to start the run, and finished the stretch with a follow shot at the buzzer. The Seawolves, who held Albany to 31-percent shooting and forced the Great Danes into 25 turnovers, led by as much as nine points in the final stanza. Jess McGinlay had 11 points for the Great Danes, whose losing streak was extended to seven straight games. Stony Brook's Jordan added seven rebounds and six steals to her scoring total.
FAMILIAR FACE: Today's game marks the first time head coach Trish Roberts has returned to Maine, where she coached from 1988-92 and compiled a record of 82-32. The Black Bears have visited Stony Brook twice with the Seawolves winning both times.
D-LIGHTFUL: Sophomore Danielle DeGiorgio has certainly stepped it up recently. In three of the Seawolves' past four games, the forward has scored in double-digits, including a career-high 21-point effort against Hartford on Jan. 26.
In those three outings, DeGiorgio shot 24-of-42 (57 percent) from the floor and averaged over six rebounds per game. Against Albany on Feb. 3, DeGiorgio was instrumental in the Seawolves' victory. She scored 13 first-half points, including seven in a 9-0 Stony Brook spurt that broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Seawolves the lead for good. She finished with a game-high 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting against the Great Danes. DeGiorgio now averages 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
BY GEORGE SHE'S GOT IT: With just one more block, senior Jill George will move into a tie for the most career blocks in Stony Brook's women's basketball history. George registered four blocks in three games last week to increase her career total to 97, one shy of the all-time high of 98. Erika Bascom recorded that total from 1991-95.
ROAD WARRIORS: The win over Albany also improved the Seawolves' record on the road to 3-4. Stony Brook won just two away games last year. The Seawolves are also 1-1 at neutral sites this season and 8-2 at home.
SEAWOLVES SNAP STREAK: Sunday's victory over Albany marked the first time the Seawolves have beaten the Great Danes on their homecourt since the 1989-90 season, when Stony Brook competed at the Division III level. That win certainly didn't come easily, as it took the Seawolves two overtimes to earn an 87-79 win over their instate rival. The victory also evened the all-time series at 12-12.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Stony Brook recorded 12 steals against the Great Danes, the second time in three games the Seawolves have registered double-digits in that category. They also flustered the Danes into 25 turnovers. On the season, the Seawolves have recorded double-digit totals in steals eight times and are averaging just 16.5 miscues of their own per game.
SWEET SIXTEEN: Jill George equaled her career-high of 16 rebounds in a losing effort against New Hampshire last week. George also had 16, the Stony Brook single-game record, against Maine on Jan. 6. The senior was also the Seawolves' only double-digit scorer against the Wildcats with 11 points. The totals marked George's second straight double-double and seventh overall this season.
SEASON LOW: The Seawolves' defeat of Albany helped ease the pain of last Friday's loss at New Hampshire, Stony Brook's most lopsided setback this season. Stony Brook scored just 39 points against the Wildcats, a season-low. Not only that, the Seawolves managed just three baskets in the first half, including a last-second three-pointer by Jill George, the first trey she has ever attempted in her four-year career. The Wildcats held Stony Brook to just 21 percent shooting (12-of-56), including 1-of-15 from three-point range.
BOJANA BREAKS OUT: Freshman center Bojana Bogetic saw her first action of the season last week against New Hampshire. The Saronno, Italy, native played 13 minutes, connecting on 1-of-3 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws for three points. She also added two rebounds.
HIGH FIVE: A season-high five players out of the six who saw action against Princeton last week scored in double figures. Theresa LoParrino's 6-of-7 shooting from the line helped her tally a team-high 16 points. Danielle DeGiorgio continued her stellar play, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Jill George earned her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while Sherry Jordan had 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Sarah Burkett also got in on the action, scoring a season-high 11 points.
BOY, GEORGE: Senior Jill George enjoyed one of her best games of late against Princeton, recording her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. She also added four assists, playing the entire 40 minutes.
BURKETT STEPS UP: Senior Sarah Burkett has taken it up a notch after entering the starting lineup. The point guard has started seven of the last eight games. She scored a season-high 11 points and connected on 4-of-7 field goals, 2-of-4 from three-point range, against Princeton on Jan. 29. Not only that, she recorded three rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play.
ON THE REBOUND: The Seawolves outrebounded its opponent for the second straight game, recording a 34-24 advantage on the boards against Princeton. The 10-rebound edge is Stony Brook's third-best effort this season, with a 19-point advantage over St. John's the Seawolves' best performance on the boards. Stony Brook is 7-0 when outrebounding its opponent this year.
SEAWOLVES' STEALTH: The Seawolves hounded Princeton on the defensive end, recording 10 steals against the Tigers. The total marked the first time in eight games the Seawolves had recorded double-digit steals. Stony Brook has tallied 10 or more steals seven times this year, including nine of its first 12 games.
NEW FACE: Freshman Bojana Bogetic joins the team this semester and should provide a solid presence under the basket. At 6-4, Bogetic brings size and depth to a thin Seawolves roster. Said head coach Trish Roberts: "We're small in the post, and Bojana brings height and we'll have a better rotation. Once she gets in shape and learns the plays, she'll be a contributer for us under the basket." A native of Saronno, Italy, Bogetic averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Pool Commense "A" club team.
NATIONWIDE STATS: Both Jill George and Sherry Jordan have cracked the national statistical categories. In the rankings released Tuesday, George was 17th in rebounds with a 10.2 average. Meanwhile, Sherry Jordan's 3.0 steals per game ranks her 33rd in the nation.
AIR JORDAN: The America East named Sherry Jordan its Player of the Week for the second time this season on Jan. 28. Jordan had an exceptional week to receive the honor, averaging 23.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in two games during the week. In a 71-59 loss to Vermont, Jordan scored a game-high 22 points on 10-of-23 shooting, her second-best effort from the floor this season. She also collected seven rebounds and had two steals against the Catamounts. Jordan followed that up with a game-high 25-point performance against Hartford. Jordan also grabbed 12 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season and shot a season-best 12-of-14 from the free throw line to help Stony Brook seal its fourth conference win.
MOVING ON UP: WIth 24 rebounds in the two games last weekend, Jill George's increased her career total to 638, keeping her in fifth-place all-time. Fourth-place might be a tough hurdle, as George needs 78 to move past Erika Bascom, who collected 715 from 1991-95.
ON THE REBOUND: Sherry Jordan and Jill George have teamed up to dominate the boards this season. Jordan has ruled the defensive glass, with 5.6 of her 8.1 rebounds per game coming on the defensive end. Meanwhile, George has done most of her damage on the offensive end, leading the conference in that category with 4.7 per game. Not only that, George is tops in the conference with a 10.2 average. Second-place Danielle Hutcheson is second with 8.2 rebounds per game.
OH SHERRY: In addition to staying at the top of the conference rebounding statistics, Jordan is doing some damage in other areas as well. The sophomore leads the America East with 3.0 steals per game and ranks third in scoring with 16.4 points per game. She is also sixth in blocked shots with 1.00 per game.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Seawolves are in the midst of a tough streak of games, as seven of their nine games in February are away from home. After today's game against Maine, Stony Brook returns home for a rematch with New Hampshire before hitting the road for three straight. The Seawolves have just three more games remaining at home.
