Feb. 15, 2006
Box Score
Stony Brook, N.Y. -
Jessica Smith notched 21 points and 14 rebounds as Stony Brook pulled away from New Hampshire 62-56 on Wednesday night at the Indoor Sports Complex. The Seawolves, who are 9-2 at home on the year, have now won four straight to improve to 15-7 overall and 8-3 in America East play, while the Wildcats fell to 13-10 and 5-7.
"We're happy to get the win at home," said head coach Maura McHugh. "We know New Hampshire is a solid team that has been playing good basketball lately. We were a little sloppy tonight, so we're happy to close it out and get the win."
Both teams struggled through a sloppy first half, each committing 11 turnovers and shooting under 40 percent. With UNH up 25-23 and with possession with time winding down in the half, Mykeema Ford picked Whitney Edwards pocket at half court and converted on the layup to knot the game at 25 heading into the break.
The Seawolves gradually built a six point lead midway through the second half, but back-to-back baskets by Ray Williams and Danielle Clark pulled UNH back within two at 45-43 with 9:46 to play. Stony Brook answered right back, using a 9-4 spurt behind four points from Smith and three from Morgan Patrick to push the lead to seven points at 54-47 with 4:23 on the clock.
The Wildcats would not go away, however, scoring five straight points and forcing a pair of Stony Brook turnovers over the next 44 seconds to make it a two-point game. A basket and a pair of free throws by Smith would put SB back up 58-53 with 1:23 remaining, and the visitors would get no closer the rest of the way.
Dana Ferraro and Ford each posted 10 points in the win for the Seawolves, while Kelly Watson added eight points off the bench and Sidney Orndorff netted each of her eight points in the first half while dishing out four assists.
Clark led all scorers with a game-high 27 points, while Williams chipped in with 11 points and nine boards.
The Seawolves are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Boston University for a 1 p.m. tipoff.
