Feb. 28, 2007

Box Score

Albany, N.Y. - Jessica Smith scored 11 points in the second half as she led the Stony Brook women's basketball to a 67-61 win over Albany on Wednesday evening. Smith was one of three Seawolves who scored double-digits as Stony Brook improves to 17-10 overall and 13-2 in America East play. Albany falls to 8-20, 4-11.

"We came out of the gates slow once again and turned the ball over too many times," said head coach Maura McHugh. "Jessica was terrific for us in the second half and I am pleased with how we recovered from our slow start and stepped up the defense intensity."

Albany opened the game with a 16-7 run, capped by a Kristin Higy jumper with 12:15 to play, and forced the Seawolves to call an early timeout. A three-pointer from Charity Iromuanya with 8:07 left in the half extended the Great Dane lead to 10 at 21-11.

The Seawolves, with their frantic defense, cut the lead in half when Mykeema Ford hit a jumper with 4:26 to play as Stony Brook trailed, 26-21. Stony Brook maintained its defensive intensity and closed out the half on a 6-1 run, capped by a Morgan Patrick jumper in the lane, as the Seawolves went into the locker room leading 28-27.

Both teams traded baskets early on in the second half and Stony Brook extended its lead to 39-37 on a Dana Ferraro layup with 14:47 left in the game. On the next possession, following a Great Dane timeout, Sherri Mikus knotted the game at 39-39 with 14:35 left in the game. In a close fought second half, the Seawolves opened up a four point lead at 58-54 with 4:43 to play on a Ferraro bucket. The Seawolves extended the lead to seven when Ford hit a pull-up jumper with 2:59 to play as Stony Brook held on for the 67-61 victory.

Smith, America East co-player of the game, scored a game-high 21 points and added 13 rebounds for the double-double. Ford scored 16 and Leah Getz added 13 points in the win.

Iromuanya scored a team-high 17 and was named America East co-player of the game for Albany.

The Seawolves return to action on Saturday, March 3 for their regular season finale versus Maine. Prior to the game the Seawolves will honor the seven seniors on the women's basketball team. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 p.m.