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Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook women’s basketball team enjoyed a successful first season under head coach Caroline McCombs, winning 17 games and earning a bid into the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI). With a year of familiarity under their belt, the Seawolves will try to take the next step in 2015-16 as they chase their first America East title in program history.

“Our group has been working hard to build the type of chemistry we need both on and off the court to establish excellence,” said McCombs. “It takes time and it takes a group of selfless individuals. Everyone has a vital role on our team and we have been asking each person to embrace their role every single day.”

The Seawolves, predicted to finish fourth in the America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, blend a nice mix of veteran leadership with talented newcomers. Stony Brook returns eight letterwinners and three starters from last year’s team, including all-conference honorees Kori Bayne-Walker (Rochester, N.Y.) and Brittany Snow (Shamong, N.J.).

Forwards

Snow headlines the group of forwards, entering her senior year 149 points shy of becoming the 15th player in Seawolves history to reach 1,000 points. If she were to reach that milestone and pull in 29 rebounds along the way, she would become the ninth player in school history to join the 1,000 point and 500 rebound club. She averaged a career-high 10.8 points per game to go along with 6.2 rebounds per game as a junior, scoring in double figures in 18 games.

Snow will rely on the help of her teammates to replace the scoring production voided by the graduation of first team all-conference performer Sabre Proctor. Senior Alyssa Coiro (Califon, N.J.) is a candidate for increased minutes. She set her career-high of eight points on two occasions last season. The other returning post player is redshirt sophomore Elizabeth Manner (Vienna, Va.). Her career-high of nine points came against Navy in 2013. McCombs is also excited about the additions of freshman Ogechi Anyagaligbo (Miami, Fla.) and junior transfer Anamaria Skaro (Split, Croatia).

Anyagaligbo won Florida State Titles as a junior and senior at Miami County Day High School, where she was an all-state honoree. Her length inside will be a valuable commodity for the Seawolves as the season unfolds.

Skaro transfers in from Garrett College, where she was an NJCAA All-American and first team all-region selection, averaging 16.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

We have a lot of diversity within our post group this season,” said McCombs. “Brittany, Alyssa and Ogechi are physical in the low post and can score in the paint, while Biz and Anamaria can aid in stretching the defense with their outside game. We will be relying on everyone to contribute and play to their strengths.”

Guards

Stony Brook returns its starting backcourt from last season in juniors Kori Bayne-Walker (Rochester, N.Y.) and Christa Scognamiglio (Orangeburg, N.Y.). Bayne-Walker, a second team all-conference selection, led the America East in assists, averaging 5.26 per game. She ranks eighth in school history in assists with two years of eligibility remaining.

Scognamiglio developed into one of the premier three-point threats in the conference last season, ranking ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.338) and fourth in three-point field goals made per game (1.8). She finished with a team-best 54 trifectas, connecting on at least one three-pointer in 17 of her final 19 games. Her career-high of 19 points came at Albany, where she made five three-pointers. She connected on at least four three’s in five different games.

Veteran senior leaders Kim Hanlon (White Plains, N.Y.) and Miranda Jenkins (Greensboro, N.C.) will add experience and poise to the backcourt unit. Hanlon played in all 31 games last season, tying her career-high of 11 points vs. Hartford. Jenkins also played in every contest, starting 20, and averaging 3.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg.

Sophomore Aaliyah Worley (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshmen Davion Wingate (Atlanta, Ga.) and Jerell Matthews (Chicago, Ill.) will also be counted on to play significant minutes. Wingate was named Class 5A first team All-State and the Class 5A North Player of the Year after leading Stephenson High School to a Georgia State Title as a senior, while Matthews helped Marian Catholic High School to an Illinois State Championship, averaging 17 points per game.

“Kori and Christa grew a lot as sophomores, which will benefit our team tremendously this season,” said McCombs. “We also have the veteran experience of Kim and Miranda who have been through the grind of college basketball. Their leadership and experience will be vital to our youngsters. Aaliyah, who battled back from a late season injury, gives us depth defensively. Lastly, our freshmen, Jerell and Davion, have brought another level of speed, athleticism and skill to our perimeter game.”

Schedule

The Seawolves non-conference schedule features 13 games vs. teams from eight different conferences. The Seawolves will play four games vs. IVY League opponents, two vs. teams from the NEC and MAAC, and one from the SEC, ACC, MEAC, Atlantic 10 and CAA.

Your first chance to see the 2015-16 Seawolves will be in their season opener vs. Iona on Friday, Nov. 13, at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The Seawolves made IFCU Arena a fortress in the arena’s inaugural season, finishing with an 11-3 home record. Their biggest home win came over three-time defending America East champion Albany on Feb. 22.

Stony Brook hosts Ole Miss on Nov. 27 in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Rebels went 19-14 last season, advancing to the third round of the Postseason WNIT. It will be the first time the Seawolves have ever played an SEC school.

On Dec. 6, McCombs’ troops will head to Syracuse to face the Orange. Syracuse is fresh off a 22-win season in 2014-15, which included an 11-5 record in ACC play and a bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Orange finished the season with a no. 32 ranking in the RPI.

For ticket information, call 631-632 WOLF or visit http://www.stonybrookathletics.com/tickets/ston-13-wbb-tix.html