Feb. 24, 2004
Stony Brook (6-17, 5-9 AE) vs. Boston University (15-8, 10-4 AE)
February 25, 2004 * 7:00 p.m.
SBU Sports Complex * Stony Brook, N.Y.
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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (6-17, 5-9), who are coming off two straight losses, play host to Boston University (15-8, 10-4) this evening.
The Terriers, who won the previous meeting this season between the two teams after topping the Seawolves 67-66 on last-second free throws back on Jan. 28th in Boston, lead the all-time series 4-2 and have won three straight over SB.
Scouting the Terriers
Boston University enters today's game winners of eight of their last nine contest. Last time out, the Terriers slipped by Northeastern 71-68.
B.U. is led by Katie Terhune, who is averaging 17.3 points per game.
Last Time Out
Jessica Smith scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds but it was not enough as Binghamton outlasted Stony Brook 71-64 on Saturday in Vestal, N.Y. Binghamton led 32-25 lead at the break but the visiting Seawolves fought back to get within 60-58 with 4:09 remaining on a pair of free throws by Mykeema Ford, but a jumper by Kate Townley followed by a steal and a layup by Jen Blues stretched the lead back to 64-58 with 3:20 to go. The Bearcats hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Mykeema Ford added 13 points while Sherry Jordan netted 11.
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.
A three-time America East Rookie of the Week this month, Smith is averaging 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 73.7 percent from the free throw line in February. The freshman has scored in double-figures in each of SB's seven games, while posting double-doubles in four contests, including the last two.
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.
Smith Earns Third Straight Rookie of the Week Nod
Jessica Smith was named the America East Rookie of the Week for the week ending February 22. Smith averaged 15.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg while shooting 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field in SB's two games last week. The freshman tallied two double-doubles, upping her season total to seven. In an OT loss to Albany, Smith posted 14 points and 11 boards before notching 17 points and 14 rebounds while shooting a career-best 87.5 percent from the floor at Binghamton.
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 12 of its last 13 games, 16 of its last 18 and 17 of the Seawolves 23 outings this season. The rookies have also posted team-highs in rebounding in seven of SB's last 12 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 (9.1 rpg), offensive rebounds (4.00 pg) and defensive rebounds (5.09 pg) and second in scoring (12.3 ppg) and free throw percentage (.624). Ford stands first among rookies in scoring (12.7 ppg) and second in three point field goals per game (1.78 pg). Watson ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (0.98), second in assists (2.53 apg) and third in three-point field goals made per outing (1.16).
Seawolves in The America East
Four Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Feb. 22.
Sherry Jordan ranks first in the conference with 3.42 steals, fourth with 5.32 defensive rebounds, fifth with 0.89 blocks, sixth with 7.9 rebounds, seventh with 2.63 offensive rebounds, 14th with 2.47 assists and 16th with 10.9 points. Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 4.00 offensive rebounds, second with 9.1 rebounds, sixth with 5.09 defensive rebounds, 12th with 12.3 points and 12th with a .624 free throw percentage. Mykeema Ford is sixth with 1.78 three point field goals and 11th with 12.7 points per outing, while Kelly Watson is 11th with 2.53 assists per game, 13th with a 0.98 assist/turnover ratio and 14th with 1.16 three point field goals per game.
Paw Prints
Sherry Jordan ranks ninth in the nation with 3.4 steals per game (as of Feb. 23) . . . 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 23 games this season and, along with Mykeema Ford and Theresa LoParrino, is one of just three players to play in all 23 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
After averaging 12.8 turnovers in its previous four games, which was 6.2 less than its season average of 19.0 per game, SB posted 19 turnovers vs. Binghamton (Feb. 21) . . . 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).
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.
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 fifth place all-time with 255 free throws. LoParrino also moved into ninth with 171 assists, two away from a tie for eighth, and third with a .761 (255-of-333) free throw percentage.
LoParrino ranks in several other categories, including three point field goals (second, 101) and free throw attempts (sixth, 333).
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 78 of the 94 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.
Jordan currently has 1,490 career points, good for third all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 38 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 777 boards, fourth with 258 steals and 549 field goals and sixth with 223 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 1,490)
Rebounds
800 - Sherry Jordan (777)
Assists
100 - Stephanie Barlett (99)
Field Goals
100 - Mykeema Ford (100)
Games Played
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (99)
100 - Sherry Jordan (94)
Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (98)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (84)
Free Throws
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)
