Feb. 17, 2004

Stony Brook (6-15, 5-7 AE) vs. Albany (8-13, 5-7 AE)
February 18, 2004 * 7:00 p.m.
SBU Sports Complex * Stony Brook, N.Y.

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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (6-15, 5-7), who are on a four-game winning streak, play host to Albany (8-13, 5-7) this evening.

The Great Danes won the previous meeting this season between the two teams, topping the Seawolves 70-66 back on Jan. 21, while the Seawolves lead all-time series 15-13 and have won five of the last six games.

Scouting the Great Danes
Albany enters today's game winners of three of its last four games. Last time out, the Great Danes fell at Maine, 69-44.

Albany is led by Becky Ayres, who is averaging 12.9 points per game, and Danielle Hutcheson, who is averaging 12.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per outing.

Last Time Out
Stony Brook scored a huge upset victory over Hartford, 64-61, to capture its fourth straight game on Saturday afternoon in Hartford. Jessica Smith led the Seawolves with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Mykeema Ford added 16 points. Sherry Jordan scored 12 points in the contest and moved into third place all-time at SB with 1,473 career points.

Smith Heating Up in February
Jessica Smith has posted several outstanding performances so far in the month of February after ending January in an offensive slump.

So far this month, Smith is averaging 17.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 76.7 percent from the free throw line. The freshman has captured both America East Rookie of the Week awards in the month after posting two 20+ scoring games and a pair of double-doubles in five contests.

The end of January, however, was a different story. In the Seawolves last three games of the month, all losses, Smith grabbed 8.0 boards per game, but managed just 5.7 points while shooting 29.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the line.

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

During the winning streak, SB is shooting .455 (106-233) from the field and .407 (22-54) from three-point range, while outscoring its opponents by a margin of 9.6 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.

Smith Named America East Rookie of the Week...Again
Jessica Smith was named the America East Rookie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 15. It was the second consecutive rookie of the week award for Smith and the third straight for SB, as Mykeema Ford earned the accolade back on Feb. 2.

Smith averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 55.6 percent (15-for-27) from the field.

The freshman started out the week with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with five rebounds and four assists in SB's first-ever win over Vermont, and capped the week off with 17 points and nine boards in a victory at Hartford.

Fab Freshmen
Freshmen Mykeema Ford, Inbar Orion, Jessica Smith and Kelly Watson have been a huge part of the Seawolves lineup this season.

The freshmen have led SB in scoring in 10 of its last 11 games, 14 of its last 16 and 15 of the Seawolves 21 outings this season. The rookies have also posted team-highs in rebounding in seven of SB's last 10 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.

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 (3.81 pg) and defensive rebounds (4.95 pg) and second in scoring (12.0 ppg) and free throw percentage (.624). Ford stands first among rookies in scoring (12.2 ppg) and second in three point field goals per game (1.71 pg). Watson ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (0.96), second in assists (2.59 apg) and third in three-point field goals made per outing (1.18).

Seawolves in The America East
Four Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Feb. 14.

Sherry Jordan ranks first in the conference with 3.59 steals, fourth with 5.41 defensive rebounds, fourth with 0.94 blocks, sixth with 8.0 rebounds, ninth with 2.59 offensive rebounds and 16th with 11.2 points. Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 3.81 offensive rebounds, fourth with 8.8 rebounds and sixth with 5.41 defensive rebounds. Mykeema Ford is seventh with 1.71 three point field goals and 11th with 12.2 points per outing, while Kelly Watson is 13th with 2.59 assists per game and a 0.96 assist/turnover ratio and 15th with 1.18 three point field goals per game.

Paw Prints
Sherry Jordan ranks fifth in the nation with 3.6 steals per game (as of Feb. 16) . . . Jessica Smith is averaging 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting .520 from the field and .769 from the line during SB's current four-game winning streak . . . Jordan moved into third place all-time at Stony Brook with 1,473 points vs. Hartford on Feb. 14 and 750 rebounds vs. UMBC on Feb. 7 . . . Kelly Watson returned to the lineup vs. Albany on Jan. 21 after a four-game absence. SB had been without her services 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 21 games this season and, along with Mykeema Ford and Theresa LoParrino, is one of just three players to play in all 21 contests.

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 four-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 10.6 turnovers in its last three games, 8.4 less than its season average of 19.0 per game . . . After losing eight straight at home dating back to last season, the Seawolves are currently on a three-game home win streak . . . 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 252 free throws, two away from fifth place (Lisa White, 254). LoParrino also moved into ninth with 166 assists and third with a .768 (252-of-328) free throw percentage.

LoParrino ranks in several other categories, including three point field goals (second, 101) and free throw attempts (sixth, 328).

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 77 of the 92 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.

Jordan currently has 1,473 career points, good for third all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 55 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 762 boards, fourth with 254 steals and 543 field goals and sixth with 214 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 1,473)

Rebounds
800 - Sherry Jordan (762)

Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)

Field Goals
100 - Jessica Smith (99)
100 - Mykeema Ford (90)

Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)

Games Played
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (97)
100 - Sherry Jordan (92)

Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (97)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (84)

Free Throws
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)

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. She 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.

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.

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.