March 2, 2004

Stony Brook (7-18, 6-10 AE) vs. Maine (20-6, 15-1 AE)
March 3, 2004 * 7:00 p.m.
SBU Sports Complex * Stony Brook, N.Y.

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Today's Matchup
The Seawolves (7-18, 6-10), coming off a 73-66 loss at New Hampshire, play their final home game of the 2003-04 season vs. first place Maine. SB has won five of its last seven outings, while the Black Bears fell to Vermont, snapping their 31-game winning streak in regular season conference games.

The Black Bears, who won the last meeting 63-53 back on Feb. 1 in Orono, hold a 4-2 all-time advantage over the Seawolves.

Scouting the Black Bears
Maine enters today's game having won 16 of its last 17 games. Last time out, the Black Bears fell at home to Vermont, 76-66, which was their first regular season conference loss in 32 games.

Maine is led by Heather Ernest, who is averaging 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds.

Last Time Out
Mykeema Ford's 27 points were not enough as SB fell to UNH 73-66 Saturday. UNH opened up an 18-point lead with 13:06 to play on a 22-6 run. However, Stony Brook fought its way back and closed the gap to 62-59 with 4:55 to go, utilizing a 19-4 run of their own. UNH held on down the stretch with five free throws to seal the win. Ford led all scorers with a game-high 27 points while Kelly Watson added 16 points for the visitors.

Ford Earns Third Rookie of the Week Honor
Mykeema Ford was named America East Co-Rookie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 29. Ford, who has earned the award three times, shares the accolade with UNH's Ray Williams.

Ford finished the week averaging 19.0 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.

The freshman scored the game-winning basket with seven seconds remaining as SB upset then second-place BU. Ford finished the game with 11 points, five assists and three steals. She capped off the week with a game-high 27 points vs. New Hampshire. The Seawolves have now captured at least a share of the last five rookie of the week awards, as Ford won it back on Feb. 1 before Jessica Smith won three straight.

Honoring the Seniors
Stony Brook will honor four seniors who are playing in the last home contest of their careers this evening. Akia Booker, Danielle DeGiorgio, Sherry Jordan and Theresa LoParrino will all be honored prior to tonight's game.

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 league Rookie of the Week this month, Smith is averaging 15.2 points and 10.8 boards while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 70.5 percent from the charity stripe in February. The freshman has scored in double-figures in eight of SB's nine games while posting 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.

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 (9.3 rpg), offensive rebounds (3.96 pg) and defensive rebounds (5.36 pg) and second in scoring (12.0 ppg). Ford stands first among rookies in scoring (13.2 ppg) and three point field goals per game (1.88 pg). Watson ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (1.00) and second in assists (2.71 apg).

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 14 of its last 15 games, 18 of its last 20 and 19 of the Seawolves 25 outings this season. The rookies have also posted team-highs in rebounding in 10 of SB's last 13 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.

Seawolves in The America East
Five Seawolves are among the America East leaders in games played through Feb. 28.

Sherry Jordan ranks first in the conference with 3.19 steals, fourth with 5.38 defensive rebounds, fifth with 0.90 blocks and 8.0 rebounds, seventh with 2.67 offensive rebounds and 15th with 10.9 points. Jessica Smith ranks first in the league with 3.96 offensive rebounds, third with 9.3 rebounds, fifth with 5.36 defensive rebounds and 12th with 12.0 points. Mykeema Ford is fifth with 1.88 three-point field goals and ninth with 13.2 points per outing, while Kelly Watson is 10th with 2.71 assists per game and 12th with a 1.00 assist/turnover ratio. Bojana Bogetic is 10th with 0.79 blocks and 14th with 1.89 offensive rebounds per game.

Ford vs. Boston Teams
Mykeema Ford has shined in games vs. teams from Boston this season. In three contests, the freshman is averaging 20.0 points while shooting .529 (18-34) from the field, .563 (9-16) from downtown and .714 (15-21) from the free throw line. Ford scored in double-figures in each of the contests, including a 31-point performance at BU on Jan. 28.

As a team, the Seawolves are averaging 72.3 points and 41.0 rebounds while shooting .485 (79-163) from the floor and .439 (18-41) from three-point range in those outings.

Paw Prints
Sherry Jordan fell to 20th in the nation with 3.2 steals per game (as of Mar. 1) . . . 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 24 games this season and, along with Mykeema Ford and Theresa LoParrino, is one of just three players to play in all 24 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 79 of the 96 games she has played in, including 27 games with 20 or more points and four with 30 or more.

Jordan currently has 1,511 career points, good for third all-time at Stony Brook. She needs just 17 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 795 boards, fourth with 260 steals and 556 field goals and sixth with 223 assists.

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

Against Boston University on Feb. 25, Sherry Jordan netted her 1,500th career point, while Danielle DeGiorgio played in her 100th career game.

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

Rebounds
800 - Sherry Jordan (795)

Games Played
100 - Sherry Jordan (96)

Steals
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (98)
100 - Theresa LoParrino (84)

Free Throws
100 - Danielle DeGiorgio (91)

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.