Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

Orono, Maine - Two free throws from Maine's Kris Younan with seven seconds left sealed the game for Maine as it defeated the Stony Brook women's basketball team, 55-53, at Alfond Arena on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.) had a team-high 13 points for Stony Brook as it falls to 6-18, 1-10 in America East play. Maine is 7-17, 4-7.

"I liked our effort today but we gave up a key offensive rebound that allowed them to make a put-back," head coach Michele Cherry said. "We played well enough to win but didn't come out on top."

Neither team was able to muster much offense through the first five minutes of the game. Play started to pick up on both ends after Brittany Boser scored for Maine to give it a 9-4 lead. On back-to-back possessions, freshmen Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) and Jodie Plikus (Waterford, Conn.) connected on shots to cut the Black Bears' lead to three at 11-8 with 13:09 left.

Maine responded and used a quick 9-0 spurt to take a double-digit lead, 20-8, with 11:27 in the half. Plikus ended the near four-minute drought with a jump shot from the left side.

Stony Brook regained its stride with bench help from freshman Samantha Norwood (Perth, Australia). On the Seawolves' next possession, Norwood sealed her defender, used a drop step and put in a layup to cut Maine's lead to eight with 5:23 remaining in the half. Norwood's efficiency on the defensive end was key as she grabbed a rebound to lead a fast break. Freshman Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) took the pass and found a streaking Nunn on the left side for a layup.

After forcing a turnover and with the shot clock about to expire, Horsey nailed a three to make the score 25-22. The Seawolves once again found success on the offensive end when Jeter hit three of four free throws after being fouled to tie the score at 25 apiece. Jeter's final free throw of the half capped a 15-2 run over the final 9:30 of the half. Maine's Christina Mosher hit a layup with four seconds left in the half as it took a 27-25 halftime lead.

Norwood continued her solid play scoring the first four points of the second half to help Stony Brook take a 31-29 lead and its first since 2-0. Play remained even as Horsey and Maine's Amanda Tewksbury connected on three-point plays to keep the score even at 34.

The Seawolves continued to maintain control of the game. Everytime Maine scored a basket, Stony Brook answered with one of its own. After Colleen Killmurray hit a three-pointer, Jeter answered with a jumper in the paint.

Tewksbury's layup with 24 seconds left gave Maine the lead, 53-51. Stony Brook had a chance to answer but a pass from Nunn to Young went off her hands and out of bounds. Nunn hit a running jumper in the lane at the buzzer to make the score, 55-53.

Along with Nunn's 13 points, Jeter had 12 points and four rebounds to be named America East player of the game. Norwood had nine points off the bench.

Kilmurray (17) and Tewskbury combined for 33 of Maine's 55 total points. Killmurray was named America East player of the game.

Stony Brook is home for New York state-rival Albany on Saturday, February 23. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm. For tickets and more information, call (631) 632-WOLF.