March 9, 2002

Final Stats

West Hartford, Conn. - Before a Hartford women's basketball record crowd of 2,811, the University of Hartford Hawks defeated the Stony Brook University Seawolves, 50-47, to win their first ever America East title and advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

Stony Brook took a 15-11 lead with a 7-0 run with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half, as Hartford was held scoreless for five and a half minutes. But the Hawks respsonded with a 7-0 run of their own, to take an 18-15 lead with 4:24 left before halftime. The first half saw four ties and five lead changes, as neither team led by more than four points, and Hartford went into the break with a 21-20 lead.

The Hawks led, 34-33, with under eight minutes left when Hartford's Janeka Lopp was assessed a technical foul after a foul call on a Seawolf shot attempt. Stony Brook sank all four free throws to take a 37-34 lead. The Seawolves extended the run to 10-4 and led, 43-38, with 4:06 to play.

Hartford used a 9-4 run to tie the game at 47 with 55 seconds left on a Lopp three pointer from the right wing. On the next possession Stony Brook's Sherry Jordan was called for a traveling voilation, giving the ball back to the Hawks with 37 seconds left. Hartford took the lead for good on a layup by Kelly Ann Charles with 18 seconds left, and held on the for 50-47 victory.

Hartford was led by All-Tournament selections Dorcas Miller (game-high 16 points), Janeka Lopp (eight points, season-high seven rebouds), and Tournament Most Outstanding Player Kenitra Johnson (15 points, seven boards, two blocks).

Just six players saw action for Stony Brook, with Sarah Burkett, Danielle DeGiorgio and sophomore Sherry Jordan all playing the entire 40 minutes. Jordan led the way with 12 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists. DeGiorgio contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards, and Jill George collected nine points and nine rebounds. Senior Erika Shipley chipped in with eight points.

The game marked the first time a Stony Brook University team had played at the championship level in Division I.

The Seawolves conclude their season with a 16-14 overall record and the America East Tournament runner-up trophy in their first season in the conference.