March 11, 2003

New Hampshire Tournament Notes in PDF Format
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BACKDROP: Stony Brook prepares for just its second-ever America East Conference Tournament. Despite a No. 7 seed last season, the Seawolves advanced to the championship game in their first season as a conference member. The Seawolves face a foe--New Hampshire--who they split with during the season, winning at home and falling on the road in overtime.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS: A game-winning shot with only 10 seconds remaining allowed Binghamton to sneak past New Hampshire in the regular season finale. The Wildcats trailed by as many as 11 in the second half before mounting a furious comeback, but the Bearcats held on to snap UNH's three-game winning streak. Maren Matthias, the America East Player of the Week, had 12 consecutive points during the second-half comeback and finished with a game-high 23. She hit 9-of-12 shots from the field and grabbed six rebounds. On the season, Matthias averages 17.0 points (fourth in the conference) and 9.6 rebounds (second). Geneva Livingston chips in with 10.2 points per game. After six straight losses, the Wildcats rebounded to win five of their final seven games.

SERIES HISTORY: New Hampshire leads the all-time series 3-2, but the teams split during the regular season this year. The Seawolves enjoyed one of their best overall performances onf the year in a 90-72 victory at home on Feb. 2, while the Wildcats managed to eke out a 70-67 victory in overtime on March 1.

INJURY UPDATE: Center Meghan Barrett, who has been sidelined since December due to ankle problems, has seen limited action in practice but probably won't play in the tournament.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: In the two meetings between Stony Brook and New Hampshire this season, Sherry Jordan and Maren Matthias have both had phenomenal performances. Each recorded a double-double in both games. In a 90-72 Stony Brook victory, Matthias hit 12-of-20 field goals, scoring 27 points and collecting 11 boards. Meanwhile, Jordan led four Seawolves in double figures with 24 points and 11 rebounds. In the rematch in Durham, Matthias was part of a balanced scoring attack, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jordan had a career day, recorded a career-best 20 rebounds to go along with 22 points. In the two games combined, Matthias averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jordan collected 23 points and 15.5 rebounds.

PILLAR TO POST: One of the Seawolves' biggest obstacles this season has been the lack of depth in the post. With backup center Meghan Barrett missing most of the season and forward Malica Jibowu also battling injuries, Stony Brook has largely relied on starting center Bojana Bogetic and forwards Sherry Jordan and Danielle DeGiorgio. The Seawolves' post will have to step up against one of the best centers in the league in Maren Matthias. In the two earlier meetings, Bogetic was hampered by foul trouble, but both DeGiorgio and Jordan stepped up. Jordan posted a double-double in each game, while DeGiorgio enjoyed two of of her best offensive performances of the season. In the two games combined, DeGiorgio hit 14-of-23 field goals (61 percent), scored 35 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

TOURNAMENT DEJA VU: Stony Brook and New Hampshire also faced each other in last year's America East Tournament, but the matchup came in the semifinal round. After losing the two regular-season meetings, the Seawolves upset the Wildcats to advance to the championship game. Stony Brook trailed just twice in the game, both by one point, and went on to win, 65-54. Sherry Jordan led the Seawolves with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Maren Matthias enjoyed an almost identical performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES MAYBE: Stony Brook has not won more than two games in a row all season long, and the Seawolves have enjoyed back-to-back victories only once. Stony Brook defeated New Hampshire 90-72 on Feb. 2 and then enjoyed a 57-55 triumph over Northeastern on Jan. 5. The Seawolves opened the season with four straight setbacks, the longest skid of the season. Stony Brook's 18 losses are the most since the Seawolves joined the ranks of Division I and the first time SBU has finished under .500 since head coach Trish Roberts took over the program in 1999.

HIGHS AND LOWS: Stony Brook has experienced wins and losses at both ends of the spectrum this season. The Seawolves have won their games by an average of just under 10 points, but have lost their games by an average of 23.3 points. In its nine victories, Stony Brook hit 45 percent from the field, outrebounded its opponents by almost five and and scored 68.4 points. In contrast, the Seawolves managed just 36 percent shooting and 55 points while being outrebounded by 7.5.

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM: Unlike last season's senior-laden team and experienced starting five, this year's Seawolves entered the season with just three players (Danielle DeGiorgio, Sherry Jordan, Theresa LoParrino) returning with more than one year of experience. On top of that, LoParrino missed 14 of the first 15 games with an injury while Jordan was absent for the first eight contests due to a suspension. In the Seawolves' season opener against SMU, four ol the five starters had seen practically no collegiate experience. Starting guard Stephanie Barlett played only 108 minutes as a freshman, while starting forward Malica Jibowu had played in just six games during an injury-riddled junior campaign. Kelly McManus and Danyelle Ingram, both freshmen, also started against the Mustangs. However, throughout the year every player has seen a substantial amount of playing time.

COMING UP SHORT AGAINST UVM: With an 82-57 victory in the regular season finale, Vermont continued to handle the Seawolves. The Catamounts have captured all four meetings between the teams, winning by an average of 20 points. Vermont won both games this season by 25 points apiece.

HOME STREAK SNAPPED: The loss to Vermont ended a streak of five straight victories for Stony Brook at the SBU Sports Complex. After winning just one of their first eight home games, Stony Brook bounced back to win five straight.

UVM SPOILS SENIOR DAY, AGAIN: For the second straight season, the Seawolves closed their regular season against Vermont, and for the second straight year, the Catamounts easily came out on top. Last year, UVM captured a 61-43 victory, the first time in four seasons the Seawolves had failed to win their home finale.

INGRAM NAMED ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Danyelle Ingram's effort during the final week of regular season play earned her Rookie of the Week honors. In the two games combined, Ingram hit 71 percent (17-of-24) from the field and averaged 19 points per contest. Against Albany, Ingram scored a career-high 29 points on 13-of-15 shooting and also added five rebounds and had four assists. In the loss to Vermont, Ingram contributed eight points and five assists.

JORDAN WATCH: Sherry Jordan remains in the No. 7 spot on the all-time scoring list with her 12 points against Vermont. Jordan now has 1,269 career points and needs 63 points to pass No. 6 Joan Gandolf, who tallied 1,331 points from 1990-94.

BATTLE OF THE BOARDS: The Seawolves struggled on the boards in the last several games of the season. Stony Brook has won the battle in 12 games this year but only twice in the past eight games. UVM recorded a 35-27 edge on Saturday. Six of the Seawolves' nine victories have come when Stony Brook collected more caroms than its opponent. The Seawolves' most decisive performance came against Hartford on Jan. 8. SBU finished with 48 rebounds compared to just 28 for the Hawks, as Sherry Jordan collected a game-high 15 to lead the way.