Feb. 6, 2008

Box Score

Durham, N.H. - Down by as many as 14 in the first half the Seawolves battled back to take a second half lead, but four scorers in double figures for New Hampshire was too much as the Stony Brook women's basketball team fell to the Wildcats, 64-55, at the Lundholm Gymnasium on Wednesday night. With the loss, Stony Brook drops to 6-15, 1-7 in America East play. New Hampshire is 5-15, 3-5.

"I couldn't be more pleased with our effort tonight," head coach Michele Cherry said. "We fought all 40 minutes and came up just a bit short. I credit New Hampshire tonight. They played well."

Stony Brook shot the ball well in the early going as freshmen Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) and sophomore Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.) combined to score the Seawolves' first eight points on four of the first five possessions. However, New Hampshire's 64 percent shooting from the floor five minutes into the game allowed it to take an early 19-10 lead.

After holding New Hampshire to three scoreless possessions in a row, senior Dana Ferraro (Middlesex, N.J.) completed a three-point play to cap a quick 7-0 run to put the deficit at just two, 19-17. New Hampshire answered right back, however, with a 14-2 run over 5:30 minutes helped by two threes from Amy Simpson.

A three from junior Kim Etol (Las Vegas, Nev.) from the right side cut the Wildcats deficit to just nine. With UNH scoring just one bucket in four minutes, Ferraro completed her second three-point play of the half to get the visitors within seven.

A one-handed runner from senior Aly Young (Lodi, Calif.) from the right side capped a first half in which the Seawolves trailed by as many as 14, bringing SBU within four at 35-31.

Both teams played even early in the second half. After forcing a turnover in New Hampshire's backcourt, Stony Brook tied the game, 39-39, after Nunn banked in a basket from the free throw line. Stony Brook would take the lead on a put back from senior Cheri Davis (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) after a miss from Ferraro.

With 11:04 left in the game, Ferraro's jumper from 17 feet at the top of the key gave the Seawolves a 46-43 lead, its biggest of the game.

On the defensive end, Stony Brook allowed just 10 points through the first 10 minutes of the second half.

A free throw from Denise Beliveau with 2:10 left gave New Hampshire its biggest lead of the half, 57-53, but freshmen Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) answered right back with a three to cut the lead to four.

New Hampshire hit seven free throws down the stretch to seal the game and win 64-55.

Ferraro had her 24th career double double with 12 points and 15 rebounds to be named America East player of the game. Jeter had nine points and eight rebounds.

For the Wildcats, Simpson had 14 points including 6-6 from the line to be named conference player of the game. Ashley Cerniglia had 12 points and Danielle Flowers and Racheal Fowler each had 10.

Stony Brook concludes its three game road trip with a contest at Vermont on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 1 pm.