March 7, 2009

Final Stats

Orono, Maine - Sophomore Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa) had 22 points, two off her career-high, but three Maine scorers in double figures and a 29-of-36 effort from the free throw line proved to be the difference as the Black Bears defeated the Stony Brook women's basketball team, 66-61, at Alfond Arena on Saturday evening. Horsey shot 9-of-15 from the floor including 2-of-4 from behind the arc. The Seawolves finish the 2008-09 regular season (6-22, 4-12 America East). Maine is 5-24, 3-13.

"We had some great looks and opportunities but just couldn't get them to drop," head coach Michele Cherry said. "But now our third season begins with the non-conference and conference season over. This is what we play for."

Junior Joia Daniels (Silver Spring, Md.) and Horsey provided almost all of the offense for Stony Brook midway through the first half, accounting for 15 of its first 16 points. Horsey scored nine straight points in a five-minute stretch and Daniels' layup gave the Seawolves their biggest lead of the game, 16-10, with 10:59 to play.

Maine fought back to tie the score at 16 before a pair of free throws from junior Crystal Rushin (Valley Stream, N.Y.) allowed Stony Brook to regain the lead. After Colleen Killmurray's free throws tied the score at 18, both teams traded baskets before Amanda Tewksbury's free throws gave the Black Bears a three-point lead. Maine led by as many as five in the first half but Horsey's free throws with just over a minute to play cut Maine's lead to three, 32-29.

Horsey's 13 first-half points were a game-high while sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) was held scoreless. Kilmurray led Maine, which shot 10-of-11 from the free throw line, with 10.

Brittany Boser, who had two points in the first half, scored six of Maine's eight points to start the second half. It would lead by as many as eight, 45-37, after Kristin Baker's three-point play and Kilmurray's 13th and 14th points of the night.

Horsey's three with just under seven minutes to play got Stony Brook within four, 47-43. It was its first field goal since sophomore Jodie Plikus' (Waterford, Conn.) three at 15:28.

Once again, Maine led by as many as eight, 53-45. But a free throw from sophomore Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.) would spark another comeback. After forcing a turnover, freshman Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.) had a three-point play, getting Stony Brook within four, 53-49. Another Maine turnover and Horsey's jumper cut the lead to 53-51. However two free throws and a three from Jasmine Rush as the shot clock expired gave Maine a 58-51 lead. The Black Bears shot 29-of-36 from the line, including 19-of-25 in the second half, to give the Black Bears a 66-61 win.

Horsey finished with 22 points to earn America East Player of the Game honors for Stony Brook. Nunn finished with 11 and a game-high nine rebounds.

Kilmurray led three Maine scorers in double figures with 17 points. Tewksbury and Rush finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Stony Brook, seeded seventh in the America East Tournament, will face No. 2 Hartford in a quarterfinal game on Friday, March 13. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 pm.