Jan. 23, 2004

Stony Brook (2-12, 1-4 AE) vs. Binghamton (9-4, 4-1 AE)
January 24, 2004 * 2:00 p.m.
SBU Sports Complex * Stony Brook, N.Y.

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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (2-12, 1-4) look to snap their four-game losing streak when they host Binghamton (9-4, 4-1) this afternoon.

The Bearcats hold a 8-5 all-time edge over Stony Brook, with the teams splitting the series last season. The Seawolves are looking to snap a seven-game home losing streak dating back to last season.

Scouting the Bearcats
Binghamton returns five starters and 10 letterwinners from a team that went 10-17 a year ago.

The Bearcats are led by Rachel Laws, who is averaging 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Binghamton enters the game riding a four-game winning streak, including a 44-29 win over Northeastern last time out.

Last Time Out
Albany's Maree Jones hit a jumper with 19.2 seconds left as the Great Danes topped Stony Brook 70-66. Mykeema Ford led the Seawolves with 21 points while Sherry Jordan added 16 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Hard Time at Home
Stony Brook has struggled at home this season, losing all six outings at the Sports Complex so far.

In those six losses, the Seawolves are shooting just .358 (129-of-360) from the field and .592 (61-of-103) from the free throw line, while their opponents are shooting .413 (132-of-320) from the floor and .721 (93-of-129) from the charity stripe. Opponents have outscored SB by a 393-336 margin in those games.

The Seawolves six straight home losses to open the season marks the worst streak in Stony Brook history. The previous worst record to start the year came in 1998-99 and 1995-96 as both teams started off 1-4.

Paw Prints
Freshman Kelly Watson returned to the lineup vs. Albany on Jan. 21 after a four-game absence. The Seawolves had been without the services of the point guard since she left with a knee injury three minutes into the Harvard game back on Jan. 3 . . . Sherry Jordan averaged 5.0 steals per game in the Seawolves' four outings between Jan. 3 and Jan. 14, collecting a season-high seven vs. Harvard . . . freshman Jessica Smith is the only player to start in each of SB's 14 games this season . . . Smith, along with Mykeema Ford, Theresa LoParrino and Inbar Orion, is one of just four players to play in all 14 contests.

Struggling from the Floor
With the exception of their outings against Charlotte on Dec. 29 and Vermont on Jan. 13, the Seawolves struggled with poor shooting in their last several games.

After shooting a season-best .517 (31-60) vs. IPFW on Nov. 29, SB shot just .337 (60-178) in its next three contests. The Seawolves responded with a solid 49.2 percent (30-61) effort against the 49ers, but followed up that performance with a 35.2 percent (25-71) outing vs. Harvard on Jan. 4 and 35.6 (16-of-45) at UMBC on Jan. 7. In the Hartford contest, SB shot a season-low 28.3 percent (13-46).

SB shot just .362 (196-541) in their nine outings from Dec. 11 to Jan. 17.

Smith, Ford Among America East Freshmen
Jessica Smith and Mykeema for are not only two of SB's top players, but two of the top rookies in the America East so far this season.

Entering today's contest, Smith ranks first among first-year players in rebounding (8.4 rpg) and offensive rebounds (3.64 pg), second in steals (1.57 spg) and defensive rebounds (4.92 pg) and third in scoring (10.7 ppg). Ford stands second among rookies in both scoring (10.9 ppg) and three point field goals per game (1.36 pg).

Notable
The Seawolves shot a season-best 77.8 percent (14-18) from the free throw line at Albany on Jan. 21. The Seawolves entered the game shooting just 61.5 percent (142-231) from the charity stripe for the season . . . SB had at least one player pull down double-figures rebounds in eight straight games from Dec. 11-Jan. 13. The streak was broken on Jan. 17 vs. Hartford . . . with their loss to New Hampshire on Jan. 10, the Seawolves failed to win consecutive games since defeating UNH and Northeastern last season on Feb. 2 and 5, respectively . . . SBU outrebounded Providence by 20, 48-28, and posted a 22-5 advantage on the offensive boards on Dec. 11 . . . in SB's outing vs. IPFW Nov. 29, the Seawolves shot over 50 percent for the first time since March 5, 2003 vs. Albany (55.2 percent), which covered a span of five games.

Jordan's Ups and Downs
Before a solid all-around performance vs. New Hampshire on Jan. 10, senior Sherry Jordan had struggled on the offensive end since her return to the Seawolves lineup in early December.

Jordan shot 8-for-17 from the field for 18 points, tying a season-high, while collecting 11 rebounds, six steals, three assists and a block vs. the Wildcats.

In the six games prior to the UNH contest however, Jordan was shooting just .294 (20-for-68) from the field and averaging 9.2 points, 7.3 points under her career average of 16.5 per game.

Jordan has been strong defensively all season, pulling down 8.9 rebounds and grabbing 3.6 steals per game.

Seawolves in The America East
Three Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Jan. 21.

Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 3.64 offensive rebounds, 17th with 10.7 points, fourth with 8.4 rebounds, ninth with 4.71 defensive rebounds and tied for 14th with 1.59 steals. Bojana Bogetic is fifth with 0.91 blocks, 10th with 2.09 offensive rebounds and 20th with 5.0 rebounds. Mykeema Ford is tied for 11th with 1.36 three point field goals and 15th with 10.9 points per outing.

Smith Stepping Up
Freshman Jessica Smith has been one of SBU's top performers so far this season. The forward, who currently ranks fourth in the America East with 8.4 rebounds per game, is third on the team in scoring with 10.7 ppg.

Smith recorded her first career double-double with a 14-point, 15-rebounds performance vs. Providence on Dec. 11. At the Hawk Classic Dec. 28-29, she put up back-to-back double-digit rebounding games, pulling down a career-high 16 vs. Saint Joseph's and 14 against Charlotte.

T-Lo Moving Up
Senior Theresa LoParrino continues to move up on Stony Brook's all-time record book in several categories.

The guard stands in sixth place all-time with 236 free throws, 18 away from fifth place (Lisa White, 254). LoParrino also moved into 11th with 162 assists and third with a .769 (236-of-307) free throw percentage.

LoParrino ranks in several other categories, including three point field goals (second, 99) and free throw attempts (eighth, 307).

Oh, Sherry
Senior Sherry Jordan is looking to make her final season at Stony Brook a memorable one.

A two-time all-conference pick and a preseason all-league selection, Jordan has scored in double-figures in 73 of the 85 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.

Jordan currently has 1,393 career points, good for fourth all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 135 points to pass Katie Browngardt (1,527 points, 1988-91) on the list for second place all-time. Michele White (1983-87) is the Seawolves' leader with 2,183 career points.

The forward stands fourth all-time at Stony Brook with 224 steals, fifth with 517 field goals and sixth with 707 rebounds and 197 assists.

Milestones Approaching
Several Seawolves are approaching milestones during the 2003-04 season. Against Albany on Jan. 21, Sherry Jordan dished out her 200th assist, while at Vermont on Jan. 13, Jordan grabbed her 700th career rebound and Bojana Bogetic pulled down her 200th board.

Here is a look at a few of the milestones that could be reached at some point this season:

Points
1,500 - Sherry Jordan (has 1,393)

Rebounds
400 - Danielle DeGiorgio (398)

Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)
100 - Danyelle Ingram (82)

Games Played
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)
100 - Sherry Jordan (85)

Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (93)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (80)

3-Point Field Goals
100 - Theresa LoParrino (99)

Free Throws
300 - Sherry Jordan (290)
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (90)