Jan. 21, 2009

Final Stats

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Despite a season-high 19 points from junior Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.) and three Stony Brook scorers in double figures, Candace Williams had a game-high 26 points and Amy Simpson added 21 as New Hampshire pulled away for a 75-65 win over the Seawolves at Pritchard Gymnasium on Wednesday night. Sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) had her second career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Jodie Plikus (Waterford, Conn.) had 11 points for the second consecutive game. Stony Brook is 2-14, 0-4 in America East play while New Hampshire is 4-14, 2-2.

"Defensively, we had too many breakdowns in the first half and gave them too many easy layups," head coach Michele Cherry said. "We have to be able to play without fouling so much and sending the other team to the free throw line."

Williams' back-to-back three-pointers capped an 8-0 run for New Hampshire as it took a five-point lead, 11-6. While the Wildcats maintained a first-half lead by as many as six, sophomore Misha Horsey's (Wyncote, Pa.) 12th three of the season got the Seawolves within one, 21-20. Simpson answered the Stony Brook surge by scoring seven of the Wildcats' nine points during a five-minute stretch as the visitors had a seven-point advantage, 30-23.

Junior Joia Daniels' (Silver Spring, Md.) layup with 1:10 left in the first half cut the Wildcats' lead to 34-32 however on the ensuing possession, a three-pointer from Chrissy Hall had the lead back up to five. Daniels missed a three as time expired in the first half with New Hampshire owning a 38-34 lead.

The Wildcats opened up an 11-point lead, 49-38, with 14:07 remaining on a Racheal Fowler layup. The Seawolves answered in significant way, going on a 13-2 spurt to tie the game at 51. After New Hampshire took a 55-53 lead, Stony Brook took its first lead since 6-5 when Nunn hit a three with 6:40 left in the game.

A pair of free throws from Williams with 5:27 remaining gave New Hampshire the lead for good. Plikus' third three of the game got Stony Brook within four, 63-59, but eight free throws down the stretch helped New Hampshire escape with a 10-point win.

Along with 19 points, Nunn had a career-high nine rebounds and added four assists, earning her America East Player of the Game honors. Plikus' three three-pointers were one shy of a career-high. Horsey chipped in with nine points and six assists.

Williams' 26 points were one off a career-high as she earned America East Player of the Game honors. New Hampshire shot 13-for-16 from the free throw line in the second half and 23-for-32 for the game.

Stony Brook is on the road for two straight games starting with a contest at defending conference champion Hartford on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.