Nov. 16, 2008

Final Stats

East Lansing, Mich. - The Stony Brook women's basketball team fought valiantly, forcing 24 turnovers and giving Michigan State all it could handle but an early first-half run was too much for the Seawolves as a tough Michigan State team topped Stony Brook 73-42, in the Seawolves' first road game of the season. Michigan State is 2-0 while Stony Brook is 0-2.

"I was pleased with our effort today," head coach Michele Cherry said. "We forced them into 24 turnovers and didn't back down from an obvious taller team. We have a quick turnaround but we have a lot of things to hang our hats on."

Michigan State started off hot, scoring the game's first seven points. Stony Brook got on the board when sophomore Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.) found junior Sarah Kazadi (Bronx, N.Y.) on a slip to the basket for a layup. The Seawolves continued to cut into the Spartans' lead and tied the score at nine with 13:57 remaining in the first half following a jumper from the top of the key from freshman Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.).

A 14-1 run from Michigan State opened up a 13-point lead for the Spartans, who were playing its second consecutive game against a New York school to start the season.

The Seawolves went over six minutes without a point before junior Crystal Rushin (Valley Stream, N.Y.) and Horsey connected on back-to-back jumpers. Although Stony Brook forced Michigan State into 15 first-half turnovers, the Spartans led 32-15 going into the break.

Michigan State started the second half the way it started the game, scoring the half's first 10 points. Sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) ended the Seawolves' drought with a layup from the left side. Back-to-back three-point plays from Kazadi cut the Spartans' lead to 46-25 with just under 13 minutes to play in the half.

Stony Brook continued to cut into the Spartans' lead with the help of freshman Tamiel Murray (Teaneck, N.J.), who connected on a jump shot and three-pointer on consecutive possesions. Two layups in transition from junior Joia Daniels (Silver Spring, Md.) and a baseline jumper from junior Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.) cut the deficit to 17 with 7:31 to play.

The Spartans closed out the game with an 18-4 run to win 73-42. Stony Brook was led in scoring by Kazadi's 11 points. Jeter added seven points, seven rebounds and three steals to earn America East Player of the Game honors.

Michigan State had three scorers in double figures led by Aisha Jefferson's 11. Kalisha Keane and Allyssa DeHaan had 10. Lauren Aitch, who had 25 points against Niagara on Friday, was held to nine points.

The Seawolves return to the court against a Big 10 school for the second consecutive game when they travel to face Penn State. Tip-off against the Nittany Lions is slated for 7 pm.