Feb. 20, 2004
Stony Brook (6-16, 5-8 AE) vs. Binghamton (13-8, 8-5 AE)
February 21, 2004 * 1:00 p.m.
Events Center * Vestal, N.Y.
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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (6-16, 5-8), who are coming off a tough overtime loss on Wednesday, travel to take on Binghamton this afternoon.
The Bearcats, who won the previous meeting this season between the two teams after topping the Seawolves 54-45 back on Jan. 24, lead the all-time series 9-5 and have won five of the last six games.
Scouting the Bearcats
Binghamton enters today's game winners of two straight. Last time out, the Bearcats slipped by Northeastern, 62-60.
Binghamton is led by Rachel Laws, who is averaging 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Last Time Out
Despite a tremendous effort off the bench by Bojana Bogetic and a buzzer-beater by Mykeema Ford to force overtime, SB fell to Albany 80-73, snapping the Seawolves four-game winning streak. Tied at 73 with 1:30 left in OT, Maree Jones converted a three-point play to give the visitors a 76-73 lead and the Great Danes connected on 4-of-6 free throws to put the game out of reach. SB missed its final four shots as Albany pulled away. Ford led SB with 21 points. Jessica Smith added 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Bogetic netted 12 points and grabbed eight boards.
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 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the free throw line. The freshman has captured two of three 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 a four-game winning streak.
During the winning streak, SB shot .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 11 of its last 12 games, 15 of its last 17 and 16 of the Seawolves 22 outings this season. The rookies have also posted team-highs in rebounding in seven of SB's last 11 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 (8.9 rpg), offensive rebounds (4.00 pg) and defensive rebounds (4.86 pg) and second in scoring (12.0 ppg) and free throw percentage (.623). Ford stands first among rookies in scoring (12.6 ppg) and second in three point field goals per game (1.82 pg). Watson ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (0.98), second in assists (2.61 apg) and third in three-point field goals made per outing (1.22).
Seawolves in The America East
Four Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Feb. 18.
Sherry Jordan ranks first in the conference with 3.56 steals, fourth with 5.50 defensive rebounds, fifth with 0.94 blocks, sixth with 8.1 rebounds, eighth with 2.56 offensive rebounds, 14th with 2.50 assists and 16th with 10.9 points. Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 4.00 offensive rebounds, third with 8.9 rebounds, seventh with 4.86 defensive rebounds, 12th with 12.0 points and 13th with a .632 free throw percentage. Mykeema Ford is sixth with 1.82 three point field goals and 11th with 12.6 points per outing, while Kelly Watson is 11th with 2.61 assists per game, 13th with a 0.98 assist/turnover ratio and 14th with 1.22 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 averaged 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting .520 from the field and .769 from the line during SB's 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 . . . 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.
During their four-game winning streak, the Seawolves 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 12.8 turnovers in its last four games, 6.2 less than its season average of 19.0 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 252 free throws, two away from fifth place (Lisa White, 254). LoParrino also moved into ninth with 167 assists and third with a .762 (253-of-330) free throw percentage.
LoParrino ranks in several other categories, including three point field goals (second, 101) and free throw attempts (sixth, 330).
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 93 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.
Jordan currently has 1,479 career points, good for third all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 49 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 771 boards, fourth with 257 steals and 545 field goals and sixth with 221 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 1,479)
Rebounds
800 - Sherry Jordan (771)
Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)
Field Goals
100 - Mykeema Ford (97)
Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)
Games Played
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (98)
100 - Sherry Jordan (93)
Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (98)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (84)
Free Throws
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)
