STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook women's basketball team battled tough, but was ultimately defeated by Fordham, 64-55, on Sunday afternoon on their home court. The Seawolves were paced by three players who scored in double figures, led by Zaida Gonzalez who scored 21 points. Breauna Ware tallied 12 points while Chloe Oliver helped out with 10.
The Rams outlasted the Seawolves in a back-and-forth contest that consisted of six ties and eight lead changes. Stony Brook led 36-35 with 3:10 left to play in the third quarter following a step back jump shot by Ware. Fordham used a 7-2 run that carried over into the fourth quarter to take a lead it would not relinquish.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 2-0, Stony Brook went on a 6-0 run with 8:48 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Brantley, to take a 6-2 lead. The Seawolves then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 14-12 advantage. Stony Brook did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 14 points close to the basket. Gonzalez led with eight points through the opening frame.
Fordham rallied to take a 16-14 lead before Stony Brook went on a 6-0 run starting at the 7:22 mark in the second period to take a 20-16 lead. The Rams then battled back to even it up at 27-27 heading into halftime as the Seawolves forced five turnovers from the Rams.
Fordham proceeded to claw their way ahead after halftime, leaving Stony Brook trailing 42-38 as the game entered the fourth quarter. Stony Brook played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 11 points in the paint.
Stony Brook could not pull any closer in the fourth, as Gonzalez dominated with a nine-point performance, but the Seawolves would fall, 64-55 to Fordham as they continue their nonconference slate.
STATS AND NOTES
- Zaida Gonzalez, Breauna Ware, and Chloe Oliver combined to account for 78 percent of the Seawolves points.
- Zaida Gonzalez led for Stony Brook with 21 points.
- The Stony Brook defense forced 16 turnovers.
- The Seawolves were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
- Stony Brook cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
- Stony Brook got a team-high seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks from Janay Brantley.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"Tough one for us today," noted head coach
Joy McCorvey postgame. "This was a big stretch playing three games in seven days with a limited number of players. I wasn't particularly happy with our defense late in the third and fourth and our effort to finish plays and secure stops. I thought we fought hard but ran out of gas down the stretch. We will continue to work through our turnovers, learn and grow through how to get over the hump in close games. We will take the week to work on us and hopefully get a few more players back healthy."
NEXT UP
Stony Brook ships up to Boston next weekend as they take on Holy Cross on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. This will only be the second meeting between the Seawolves and Crusaders after a 68-55 Stony Brook victory last season. Coverage is set to be available on ESPN+.
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