Feb. 28, 2009

Final Stats

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Hartford's Ilicia Mathis had a career-high 20 points including, 9-for-10 from the free throw line, to lead the Hawks to a 79-56 win over the Stony Brook women's basketball team on Saturday night at Pritchard Gymnasium. Sophomore Jodie Plikus (Waterford, Conn.), who had 23 points at Hartford in January, posted 15 points for the Seawolves. Sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) added 11 points for Stony Brook (6-20, 4-10 America East). Hartford is 17-10, 12-2.

"I was pleased with our effort but we weren't able to execute at the right time," head coach Michele Cherry said. "Hartford showed why they are one of the best teams in the conference tonight."

Although Stony Brook turned the ball over nine times in the first 10 minutes of the first half, it trailed by only two, 14-12, after junior Crystal Rushin (Valley Stream, N.Y.) stole the ball at mid-court and finished with a layup. The Seawolves tied the game at 18 after freshman Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.) completed a three-point play with 7:07 left in the first half. But Hartford answered with a 12-4 run to open a 30-22 lead helped by four points from Mathis. The Seawolves got within three twice with under two minutes to play, however Jackie Smith's layup at the buzzer gave Hartford a 37-31 halftime lead.

Lisa Etienne's (15 points) three at the 16:55 mark gave the Hawks a 10-point lead, 43-33. Four points apiece from Plikus and Jeter during a 10-4 spurt got the Seawolves within four, 47-43, with 14:37 left.

Hartford, which snapped its 40-game conference home winning streak on Wednesday, pulled away with a 16-4 run over seven minutes, taking a 63-47 lead. Stony Brook scored on back-to-back possessions to cut it to 12, but Jeter's free throw was all the Seawolves scored in a 3:30 stretch.

Diana Delva's layup with 1:36 left gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the game, 78-55.

Plikus shot 5-for-10 from the field, including 3-for-7 from three, in earning America East Player of the Game honors for Stony Brook. Jeter scored in double figures for the ninth straight game.

In addition to Mathis, who was named America East Player of the Game for Hartford, Erica Beverly added 17 points. The Hawks shot 19-for-25 from the free throw line.

Stony Brook ends its 2008-09 home schedule on Wednesday night against Albany. Tip-off against the Great Danes is scheduled for 7 pm.