Feb. 9, 2002

Final Stats

ORONO, MAINE - The University of Maine women's basketball team trailed by 19 points in the first half and 15 in the second half before defeating Stony Brook University, 75-61, Saturday afternoon in front of 2,208 at Alfond Arena in Orono.

The win improved UMaine to 12-9, 5-5 in America East while Stony Brook dropped to 12-8, 5-4.

UMaine outscored the Seawolves 46-21 in the second half. A 14-2 run in the second period cut the margin from 48-34 to 50-48 with 10:09 left. With 7:28 remaining, UMaine's Heather Ernest scored inside to tie the game for the first time at 55-55 and start a second 14-2 run. Melissa Heon followed with a three-pointer for a 58-55 lead.

Stony Brook's Erika Shipley answered with a jumpshot, cutting the edge to 58-57 but UMaine responded with nine straight points. Missy Traversi hit a three-pointer then Julie Veilleux connected on a jumpshot from the foul line. Ernest added two free throws, then Monica Peterson scored inside and suddenly it was 67-57 UMaine with 4:51 left in regulation. The Seawolves never recovered, managing four points the rest of the way.

Heon led UMaine with 17 points, 13 in the second half. Traversi added 14 points, while Peterson contributed her second straight double-double and fifth of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Peterson and Heon both drew Stony Brook leading scorer Sherry Jordan defensively. The duo helped hold her slightly below her season average (16.4 ppg) with 14 points. Peterson blocked a career-high five shots while Heon recorded a block and a steal.

UMaine held a 42-24 edge in rebounding, including 21 offensive rebounds. Stony Brook's top rebounder, Jill George grabbed just four boards and scored 10 points while limited to 22 minutes due to foul trouble. She left the game with four fouls, prior to UMaine's first 14-2 run at 15:24.

In addition to Jordan's offense, Shipley also scored 12 points and dished out six assists for SBU. Sarah Burkett tallied 11 points, nine in the first half for Stony Brook.

The visitors built a 40-29 intermission lead on superior shooting. Stony Brook made 15 of 28 shots from the field (54 percent), including 67 percent (8-12) from three-point range. Stony Brook entered the contest as the league's ninth-best three-point shooting team. UMaine shot just 38 percent in the first half, but made 55 percent (17-31) in the second 20 minutes.