STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Sherese Pittman hit a dagger jumper with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put Stony Brook ahead 78-71, pushing the Seawolves to a 81-71 victory over the Charleston Cougars at home on Friday.
The victory for the Seawolves marked their 10th straight as they remain the only undefeated team in conference play at 5-0.
The Seawolves had three players score in double figures, led by Khari Clark, who had a career-high 28 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Pittman tacked on 12 points and seven rebounds and Gigi Gonzalez helped out with 12 points and eight assists. Stony Brook shared the ball well in Friday's game, racking up 22 assists on 32 made field goals. Gonzalez's eight assists paced the Seawolves and Kelis Corley also helped out with three assists of her own.
Stony Brook's defense held Charleston to only 36.6 percent shooting from the field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 9-0, Stony Brook went on a 7-0 run with 5:47 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Zaida Gonzalez, to narrow its deficit to 9-7. The Seawolves continued to narrow the gap and tied the game at 11-11 heading into quarter number two. Stony Brook did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring six of its 11 points close to the basket.
Stony Brook turned the first quarter tie into a 25-24 lead before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from Victoria Keenan, to increase its lead to 30-24. The Cougars cut into that lead, but the Seawolves still enjoyed a 33-28 advantage heading into halftime. Stony Brook was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 22 points, led by Keenan.
Stony Brook continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 50-43 with 2:41 to go in the third. The Seawolves held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 56-49 edge. Stony Brook dominated near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.
In the fourth quarter, Stony Brook finished with their most points of any quarter, shooting 66.7% from the field. The Seawolves kept their lead intact before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 81-71 with six seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Stony Brook took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 25 points in the paint.
GAME NOTES
- Stony Brook found success from three-point land, knocking down eight treys in the game. Keenan and King both tallied two each.
- The Seawolves held the Cougars to only 36.6 percent shooting from the field.
- Stony Brook never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
- Stony Brook recorded 22 total assists in the game.
- The Stony Brook defense forced 19 turnovers.
- The Seawolves were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
- Clark led the Seawolves with a game-high and career-high 28 points.
- Stony Brook got a team-high seven rebounds from Pittman.
- The Seawolves are now 3-0 all-time against the Cougars.
- This is the seventh straight season the Seawolves reached 15 wins.
UP NEXT
The Seawolves return to the court on Sunday as they head to North Carolina to face Campbell University at 2:00 p.m. for the second time this season. The Seawolves won the first meeting 73-43 at The Island on Jan. 5. The game can be streamed live on FloHoops.
For an inside look at the Seawolves women's basketball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
