Jan. 30, 2003

Game Backdrop: The Seawolves hope to get back on the winning track Sunday against New Hanmpshire after dropping their last two contests. The Wildcats come into the game on a three-game skid.

About the Wildcats: Despite Maren Matthias' 26 points and 10 rebounds, her 10th double-double of the season, New Hampshire fell to Vermont, 76-70, on Wednesday. Matthias' 16.1 ppg and 10.3 rpg leads the Wildcats. Geneva Livingston averages 10.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg. New Hampshire has won just one game on the road, at Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Dec. 13.

Series History: New Hampshire leads the all-time series 2-1. The Wildcats swept Stony Brook last year in America East regular season play, but the Seawolves got revenge with a 65-54 victory in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

On the Tube: The Seawolves will try to make it 2-for-2 in televised games this season when they tip off against New Hampshire. In the conference opener on Jan. 8, Stony Brook defeated Hartford 58-57 in a game that kicked off the America East television broadcast schedule.

Injury Update: While Theresa LoParrino has recovered from stress fractures suffered earlier this season, the Seawolves still have a void in the post, with both Meghan Barrett and Malica Jibowu out of action. Barrett has not practiced since the team's return from Colorado on Dec. 30 due to soreness in her ankles and will not be available against New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Jibowu suffered a foot injury during practice and has been out of action since Jan. 11. Guard Kelly McManus is also out for an undetermined amount of time due to an injury to her left knee.

Last Meeting - March 8, 2002: The seventh-seeded Seawolves advanced to the championship game of the America East Tournament with a 65-54 victory over No. 6 New Hampshire in the semifinals. Stony Brook trailed just twice in the game, both by one point, and led 36-28 at the half. Down 17-16 in the first half, the Seawolves used an 11-2 run to take a 27-19 lead. Leading 47-40 with 11 minutes remaining in the second half, the Seawolves used an 8-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 55-40 lead with 7:06 left in the game. New Hampshire would cut the lead to nine, but would get no closer for the remainder of the game. Stony Brook was led by Sherry Jordan who posted her second double-double in as many games in the tournament. She had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Seawolves. Teammate Erika Shipley added 20 points, five steals and four assists in the victory.

Home Not So Sweet Home: Before this season, Stony Brook had lost just nine games at the SBU Sports Complex since joining the ranks of Division I. But the Seawolves have struggled at home this year, winning just once in eight games. The only team Stony Brook has defeated at home this year is Fairleigh Dickinson, when the Seawolves earned a 76-71 victory.

LoParrino's Return: Theresa LoParrino saw action for just the second time this season against Maine, playing 30 minutes. After returning briefly (Nov. 26) following rehabilitation on a torn ACL suffered last season, LoParrino missed the next 12 games with multiple stress fractures.

Assist Trouble: For the first time in four games, the Seawolves finished with less than 10 assists against Maine. Stony Brook recorded nine against 20 turnovers. Stony Brook has collected more assists than turnovers just twice all season, but has registered at least 10 dishes in seven of the last nine games.

Scoring Output: After reaching the 70-point mark in three straight games, the Seawolves totaled just 41 points against Maine, their lowest output since a 40-point effort against Fordham on Dec. 10.

On the Boards: For the second time in three games, the Seawolves were outrebounded against Maine. While Stony Brook has held the edge on the boards nine times this season, the Seawolves have been outrebounded by 12 in each of their last two outings.

Jordan Steps Up, Again: Sherry Jordan led the Seawolves in both scoring and rebounding for the fourth straight game against Maine. She has reached double figures in eight of the nine games she has played, scoring 140 points. That total is third-highest on the team, even though Jordan missed the first eight games of the season. Not only that, since she joined the team on Dec. 28, she has led the team in scoring six times, rebounds seven times, and steals five teams, all team-bests.

Jordan Watch: Sherry Jordan's 12 points against Maine moved her into the No. 8 spot on the all-time scoring list, surpassing Agnes Ferro who totaled 1,125 points from 1979-83. Jordan, who now has 1,132 career points to her credit, needs 20 to pass No. 7 Janet Travis, who scored 1,144 points from 1975-79.

Last Time Out: Maine extended its winning streak to eight games and stayed unbeaten in America East Conference play with a 66-41 victory over Stony Brook. The Black Bears scored 16 of the game's first 18 points, hitting seven of their first nine shots. Stony Brook was hampered by poor shooting, connecting on just seven first-half field goals, and trailed 34-18 at the break. Maine didn't let up in the second half, stretching the lead to 52-32 with 9:04 remaining. Stony Brook could not draw any closer the rest of the way, and the Black Bears extended the lead to as many as 25 on two occasions.

Looking Ahead: After today, Stony Brook takes on Northeastern at home on Feb. 5 before hitting the road again for contests at Vermont and Boston University.