Jan. 24, 2009

Final Stats

West Hartford, Conn. - Down by as many as 23 points in the second half the Stony Brook women's basketball team cut the lead to just seven, however five Hartford scorers in double figures proved to be too much as the Hawks thwarted the Seawolves comeback attempt with an 81-67 victory before a season-high 2,124 fans at the Chase Family Arena on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Jodie Plikus (Waterford, Conn.) was spectacular for Stony Brook (2-15, 0-5 America East) scoring a career and game-high 23 points. Ilicia Mathis had 16 points for Hartford (9-8, 4-1).

Plikus' 23 points was the third straight game she scored in double figures after coming back from injury as she was Stony Brook's America East Player of the Game. Erica Beverly's 12 points and 10 rebounds earned her Hartford's America East Player of the Game honors.

"I was proud of our effort, especially coming back down 23 points," head coach Michele Cherry said. "That being said, we didn't have that third scorer step up for us tonight."

Following a basket from freshman Tamiel Murray (Teaneck, N.J.) on Stony Brook's second possession, it was all Hartford the next six minutes as it went on a 17-2 run. Junior Kairsten Nunn's (Bowie, Md.) layup after inbounding the ball off a Hartford player's back ended a 4:30 scoring drought for the Seawolves.

Back-to-back threes from Plikus cut the lead to 19-13 but Lisa Etienne answered with a conventional three-point play to extend the lead back up to nine. Hartford's first-half lead was cut to six, twice.

After a basket from Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) put the game at 33-24, the Hawks scored the next seven points of the game, taking a 40-24 lead, its biggest of the game. Sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) scored with four seconds left in the half, pulling the Seawolves within 14 entering the break.

Hartford opened the second half scoring 11 of the first 13 points while taking a 51-28 lead. With the Hawks leading by as many as 23, Stony Brook scored on 4-of-6 possessions and would get within 14 following a turnaround jumper from Nunn.

The Seawolves gained more momentum when a technical foul was called on Hartford coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Plikus made both free throws and on the next offensive possession she drained a three to the cut the lead to 10, 61-51, with 6:25 left. The Hartford lead was cut into single digits after Horsey's three from the top of the key with 4:56 left. Stony Brook got within seven again after Hartford scored following Horsey's basket. Hartford scored just four points during an eight and a half minute stretch as Stony Brook made its charge back.

Hartford shot 27-for-33 from the free throw line for the game including 22-for-26 in the second half. It made 10 straight free throws down the stretch for an 81-67 victory.

Prior to today's game, Stony Brook and Hartford observed a moment of silence in honor of N.C. State head women's basketball Kay Yow, who lost her fight with breast cancer.

The Seawolves continue their season at Albany on Tuesday afternoon. Tip-off against the Great Danes is slated for 12:00 pm.