Jan. 12, 2008

Box Score

Baltimore, Md. - Senior Dana Ferraro (Middlesex, N.J.) had 14 points and nine rebounds and sophomore Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md) had a career-high 14 points but UMBC shot 14-15 from the free throw line including four in the final minute to defeat the Stony Brook women's basketball team, 61-56 at the RAC on Saturday evening. With the loss, Stony Brook falls to 5-10, 0-2 in America East play. UMBC is 5-10, 1-1.

"Offensively, we had a flat first half and we weren't able to overcome it," head coach Michele Cherry said. "Kairsten and Dana were good for us on the offensive end. We'll practice hard next week and be ready for Maine on Wednesday."

Stony Brook came out of blocks making its first two shot attempts. Ferraro took a pass from senior Aly Young (Lodi, Calif.) and hit a turnaround jumper from the left side. On the Seawolves next possession, freshman Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) connected on a three-pointer as they took an early two-point lead. UMBC hit just two of its first seven shots but Morgan Hatten's two three-pointers gave the home team a one-point lead at the first timeout.

UMBC's Kristin Drabyn's back-to-back three-pointers gave the home team an early seven-point lead even though it did not connect on a two-point goal until 11:47 left in the first half.

The Seawolves got into form creating in transition and forcing turnovers. The senior duo of Ferraro and Young combined to score eight points to cut the UMBC deficit to just two with under four minutes remaining in the first half. UMBC missed three shots to end the half but still held a 24-20 lead.

Stony Brook connected on its first three shots of the second half but UMBC hit its three of four shots as it maintained a five-point lead. The re-energized Seawolves tied the game at the 15:20 mark after Nunn completed a three-point play to tie the game at 33.

Every time UMBC scored a basket, Stony Brook answered back with one of its own and took its first lead since 19:25 of the first half when freshman Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) hit two free throws for a 41-39 lead. On the defensive end, Stony Brook was equally as good holding UMBC without a field goal over a six minute stretch.

The final minutes of the game featured four lead changes and three ties. Stony Brook got within two after Nunn's three with just over a minute to play. Carlee Cassidy converted a three-point play on the other end to give UMBC a five-point advantage and a lead it held for the rest of the game.

Ferraro's 14 and 9 earned her America East player of the game. Along with Nunn's 14 points, Jeter chipped in with 10. UMBC was led by Cassidy's 23 points even though she shot just 6-23 from the field to be named America East player of the game. Kristin Drabyn added 17 points to help the Retrievers.

Stony Brook is back in action when it hosts Maine on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm.