THE MATCHUP: The Stony Brook University women's basketball team (9-1) hits the road for the first conference game of the 2021-22 campaign against NJIT on Thursday, December 30, at 2 p.m. The game is set to air on ESPN+ with Dave Popkin (play-by-play) and Dave Calloway (analyst).
 
SERIES HISTORY: This matchup marks the fifth time the two teams will go head-to-head. Stony Brook currently holds a 4-0 record against NJIT. The Seawolves defeated the Highlanders, 73-41, and, 63-51, during the 2020-21 campaign on Jan. 24, and Jan. 25, 2021, respectively.
 
EAST COAST, BEAST COAST: Stony Brook defeated Washington State, 69-62, on Sunday, December 19, to secure the program's first ever win against a Pac-12 member. Earlette Scott led the Seawolves with 20 points, followed closely by Annie Warren who recorded 14 points. The Seawolves' 69 points were the second-most any team has scored against the Cougars all season. Stony Brook held Washington State well below their average shooting clips, as they only managed 32.8 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from beyond the arc. Their season averages are 39.4 percent and 31.0 percent, respectively.
 
PLOWIN' THROUGH THE POWER FIVE: The win over Washington State marked the program's first home win over a Power Five opponent. With the win, Stony Brook became the first America East women's basketball team to win two games against Power Five opponents in the same season since Maine in 2015-16. It marked the first time in program history that the Seawolves have defeated two Power Five opponents in the same season. Stony Brook defeated Big Ten member Rutgers, 53-44, on November 16, to earn its third win in program history over a Power Five opponent. The Seawolves picked up their first win in program history over the Scarlet Knights and their second against a current Big Ten member (defeated Penn State on Nov. 25, 2018). All four of the wins against Power Five opponents have come since 2018: defeated Penn State, 81-70, on Nov. 25, 2018, Pittsburgh, 59-56, on Dec. 8, 2019, Rutgers, 53-44, on Nov. 16, 2021, and Washington State, 69-62, on Dec. 19, 2021.
 
COLLEGEINSIDER.COM RANKINGS: Stony Brook was ranked seventh in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25 poll that was released on Tuesday, December 28. The Seawolves were the only America East team ranked in the poll.
 
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders pulled away from St. Francis Brooklyn, 59-53, on Saturday, December 11, to secure their fifth win of the 2021-22 campaign. NJIT's scoring offense is led by junior guard Kenna Squier. Squire scored a team-high 14 points against the Terriers, followed closely by sophomore guard Lyzi Litwinko and redshirt senior center Kimi Evans finishing with 11 points each. Squier currently leads the team averaging 11.0 points over 11 starts. Head coach Mike Lane is in his fourth year at the helm of NJIT. Lane led the Highlanders through the program's first season in the America East in 2020-21. NJIT finished seventh in their first season with an overall record of 4-14. This is Lane's third appearance against Stony Brook and currently holds a 0-2 record against the Seawolves.