STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign in dominant fashion, cruising past Molloy, 73-39, on Monday evening at Stony Brook Arena. The Seawolves used a strong second half and relentless defensive pressure to secure their first victory of the season.
Stony Brook (1-0) was led by Ariel Little, who recorded a game-high 16 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and knocking down two three-pointers. Jada Cook followed with 14 points and three steals, while Leah Philpotts made a significant impact off the bench, recording a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Philpotts also dished out a game-high five assists.
The Seawolves controlled the glass throughout the contest, out rebounding Molloy 50-29, including 28 offensive rebounds. Stony Brook also forced 28 turnovers, converting them into 38 points while collecting 18 steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Molloy opened the scoring before Little put the Seawolves on the board with a layup. The two teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter before Awa Fane knocked down a three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining to give Stony Brook an 11-10 advantage heading into the second.
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Cook sparked the Seawolves offense to begin the second quarter, scoring five consecutive points, including a three-pointer, to extend the lead to six. Alex Brown followed with a layup to cap a 7-0 run and push Stony Brook's advantage to 18-10.
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After Molloy trimmed the deficit to one point, Stony Brook responded with a 9-2 run to close the half. Little connected from beyond the arc with 1:14 remaining, helping the Seawolves take a 29-23 lead into the break.
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The Seawolves came out firing in the third quarter, opening the half on a 17-3 run to extend their lead to 46-26. Little fueled the surge with 10 points during the stretch, including two three-point plays and a three-pointer.
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Stony Brook continued to build its advantage, outscoring Molloy 26-14 in the third quarter to take a commanding 55-37 lead into the final frame.
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The Seawolves' defense took over in the fourth quarter, holding Molloy to just two points on 1-of-11 shooting. Stony Brook closed the game on an 18-2 run, with Raiane Dos Santos knocking down a three-pointer to cap the scoring and seal the 73-39 victory.
STATS AND NOTES
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Stony Brook improved to 1-0 to begin the 2026-27 season.
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Little paced the Seawolves with a game-high 16 points, adding four rebounds and three assists.
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Cook finished with 14 points, two rebounds and three steals.
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Philpotts registered a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. She also led all players with five assists.
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Fane added eight points off the bench, while Johanna Potter contributed six points, eight rebounds and three steals.
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Caitlin Frost pulled down eight rebounds and recorded a game-high four steals.
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Stony Brook held a 50-29 advantage on the glass, including 28 offensive rebounds.
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The Seawolves dominated inside, outscoring Molloy 40-24 in the paint.
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Stony Brook forced 28 turnovers and converted them into 38 points.
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The Seawolves finished with 18 steals, led by Frost's four.
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Stony Brook's bench contributed 30 points.
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The Seawolves held Molloy to just two fourth-quarter points while shooting 38.5 percent from the field for the game.
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All 10 Seawolves who appeared in the contest scored at least two points.
NEXT UP
The Seawolves are on the road Thursday November 5, for a matchup against Iona. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
