Feb. 12, 2004

Stony Brook (5-15, 4-7 AE) vs. Hartford (16-6, 7-4 AE)
February 14, 2004 * 2:00 p.m.
Chase Family Arena * Hartford, Conn.

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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (5-15, 4-7), who are on a three-game winning streak, travel to take on Hartford (16-6, 7-4), which has lost three in a row entering today's contest. The Hawks won the previous meeting this season between the two teams, topping the Seawolves 58-39 back on Jan. 17, while the all-time series is tied at three games apiece.

Scouting the Hawks
Hartford has struggled as of late, having lost three straight, including a 61-59 decision at Northeastern on Wednesday. Two of those three losses, however, were by just two points.

The Hawks are led by Erika Messam, who is averaging 11.2 points per game.

Last Time Out
Jessica Smith scored 21 points to power Stony Brook to its third straight win in an 87-71 triumph over Vermont on Tuesday evening. The win marked the first victory over UVM in SB's history, as the Catamounts had won all five previous outings. Sherry Jordan notched 17 points and six steals while Kelly Watson hit four treys as part of her 16-point effort. Danielle DeGiorgio collected 11 points and LoParrino added 10 for the Seawolves.

Smith Named America East Rookie of the Week
Freshman Jessica Smith was named the America East Rookie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 8.

Smith averaged 17.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while connecting on 75.0 percent of her free throws (12-of-16). The 6-0 low-post threat started off the week with 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds in a victory over Northeastern. Against UMBC, she poured in a career and game-high 23 points to go along with 14 boards and four assists while shooting 11-of-13 from the free throw line.

The Seawolves have captured the award two straight times, as Mykeema Ford picked up the accolade last week.

Tale of Two Streaks
The Seawolves have gone through several streaks so far this season, including a seven-game losing skid and, currently, a three-game winning streak.

During the winning streak, SB is shooting .476 (80-168) from the field and .447 (17-38) from three-point range, while outscoring its opponents by a margin of 11.7 points per game. During the losing skid, however, the Seawolves shot just .360 (144-400) from the floor and .278 (32-155) from downtown, while their opponents outscored SB by an average of 9.4 points.

Fab Freshmen
Stony Brook's four freshmen-Mykeema Ford, Inbar Orion, Jessica Smith and Kelly Watson-have been a big part of the Seawolves lineup this season.

The freshmen have led SB in scoring in nine of its last 10 games, 13 of its last 15 and 14 of the Seawolves 20 outings this season. The rookies have also posted team-highs in rebounding in seven of SB's last nine contests.

The group, led by Watson's career-high 24 points, was a huge factor in SB's win over Northeastern on Feb. 4, combining for 61 of the Seawolves 79 points. Ford collected 18 points, while Smith chipped in 11 and Orion, who played just nine minutes, netted eight.

That's Elementary, My Dear Watson...
Kelly Watson had her best performance of the season in the Seawolves outing vs. Northeastern on Feb. 4.

Watson dropped a game-high 24 points on the Huskies, which more than doubled her previous career-best of 10 points. The freshman shot 8-for-10 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range and the free throw line. Watson also chipped in five assists, which tied her career-high.

Smith, Ford, watson Among Top America East Freshmen
Jessica Smith, Mykeema Ford and Kelly Watson are not only three of SB's top players, but three of the top rookies in the America East this season.

Entering today's contest, Smith ranks first among first-year players in rebounding (8.8 rpg), offensive rebounds (3.80 pg) and defensive rebounds (4.95 pg) and second in scoring (11.7 ppg) and free throw percentage (.625). Ford stands first among rookies in both scoring (12.1 ppg) and second in three point field goals per game (1.65 pg). Watson ranks second in assists (2.58 apg), second in assist/turnover ratio (0.91) and third in three-point field goals made per outing (1.19).

Paw Prints
Sherry Jordan ranks tied for sixth in the nation with 3.6 steals per game (as of Feb. 9) and has recorded six steals in each of the Seawolves last two outings . . . Jessica Smith is averaging 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting .559 from the field and .810 from the line during SB's current three-game winning streak . . . Jordan moved into third place all-time at Stony Brook with 750 rebounds vs. UMBC on Feb. 7 and scored her 1,400th career point vs. Binghamton on Jan. 24 . . . Kelly Watson returned to the lineup vs. Albany on Jan. 21 after a four-game absence. SB 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 . . . Jessica Smith is the only player to start in each of SB's 20 games this season and, along with Mykeema Ford and Theresa LoParrino, is one of just three players to play in all 20 contests.

Seawolves in The America East
Five Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Feb. 11.

Sherry Jordan ranks first in the conference with 3.75 steals, third with 5.38 defensive rebounds, fourth with 0.94 blocks, fifth with 8.0 rebounds, sixth with 2.62 offensive rebounds, 14th with 11.1 points and 15th with 2.31 assists. Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 3.80 offensive rebounds, third with 8.8 rebounds and sixth with 4.95 defensive rebounds. Bojana Bogetic is fifth with 0.93 blocks and 14th with 1.87 offensive rebounds. Mykeema Ford is eighth with 1.65 three point field goals and 10th with 12.1 points per outing, while Kelly Watson is 13th with 2.56 assists per game, 14th with a 0.91 assist/turnover ratio and 1.19 three point field goals per game.

Streaking Seawolves
Stony Brook's 2003-04 season has been one of several streaks, both good and bad. The Seawolves, who are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, have now won more than two consecutive games for the first time since their six-game winning streak from Dec. 8, 2001-Jan. 13, 2002.

Prior to the winning streak, SB suffered through a seven-game losing streak from Jan. 10-Feb. 2 and an eight-game home losing skid dating back to March 5 of last season.

Notable
SB is averaging 11.0 turnovers in its last two games, 8.5 less than its season average of 19.5 per game . . . Stony Brook shot 50 percent from the field vs. Northeastern, the first time it shot 50 percent or better since its win over IPFW back on Nov. 29 . . . The Seawolves were outscored 251-211 in the second half during their seven-game losing streak. During the skid, SB shot just .360 (144-400), while its opponents shot .435 (167-384).

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 251 free throws, three away from fifth place (Lisa White, 254). LoParrino also moved into ninth with 166 assists and third with a .770 (251-of-326) free throw percentage.

LoParrino ranks in several other categories, including three point field goals (second, 101) and free throw attempts (eighth, 326).

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 76 of the 91 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.

Jordan currently has 1,461 career points, good for fourth all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 67 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 third all-time at SB with 754 boards, fourth with 253 steals and 538 field goals and sixth with 213 assists.

Milestones Approaching
Several Seawolves are approaching milestones during the 2003-04 season.

Against Vermont on Feb. 10, Sherry Jordan connected on her 300th field goal, while Kelly Watson scored her 100th career point.

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 1,461)

Rebounds
800 - Sherry Jordan (754)

Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)

Field Goals
100 - Jessica Smith (92)
100 - Mykeema Ford (84)

Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)

Games Played
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (96)
100 - Sherry Jordan (91)

Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (97)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (83)

Free Throws
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)

Ford Earns Second Rookie of the Week Award
Mykeema Ford was named the America East Rookie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 1. It marked the second time this season the freshman earned the award.

Ford put together an outstanding week, averaging 25.0 ppg while burying 11 three pointers in SB's two outings. Ford had a career night in the Seawolves near upset of BU, finishing with 31 points on 9-of-15 (.600) shooting from the floor, including 7-of-9 (.778) three-pointers. The seven three's set a new Stony Brook record and tied her for the third best single-game performance in America East history. Ford's 31 points tied her for the seventh best outing in school history. Against Maine she once again led the way with a team-high 19 points to go with three assists.