The Stony Brook women’s basketball team was outworked on both ends of the floor in the first glimpse of head coach Joy McCorvey’s era.
With a squad full of new faces, the Seawolves’ (0-1) offseason rust was apparent when they faced the Columbia Lions (1-0) on Monday in New York City, N.Y. Shooting woes cost Stony Brook significantly in a 87-47 opening-night loss.
Both sides stumbled out the gate in the first quarter, as each struggled to convert several open looks. Guard Zaida Gonzalez jumpstarted the Seawolves’ offense with a three-point play — after she was fouled while making a tough floater — followed by a mid-range jumper.
Still, by the time guard Chloe Oliver became the first Stony Brook player not named Gonzalez to make a basket, it was already down 14-7. The Seawolves could not keep the Lions off the offensive glass in the opening frame, and, after a buzzer-beating jumper from Columbia guard Perri Page, they trailed 23-10 after 10 minutes.
In the second period, the Lions’ lead ballooned to as much as 21 points with 4:37 remaining in the half, as Stony Brook’s offense could not get into a rhythm. However, the Seawolves finally showed life late in the second frame, as six unanswered points put them at a 35-20 hole at halftime.
Following the break, Colombia came out torching the net, as it made eight-of-10 field goal attempts during a 21-6 run in the third quarter. The Lions controlled the pace, and therefore were able to find open looks in transition. The hosts’ hot start to the frame propelled them to cruise control for the rest of the way and a dominant victory.
“Tough one for us tonight,” McCorvey said in a postgame interview with Stony Brook Athletics. “But credit to Columbia, as they are a very good team. This was a great test to start the season, and we will learn from this and move on. There were a lot of controllable areas that we will continue to focus on and work towards improving. It’s the first game and there’s a lot of season to be played.”
Stony Brook failed to make a shot from beyond the arch on Monday, as it misfired on all eight of its three-point attempts. Overall, the Seawolves put up a .340/.000/.652 shooting line. In contrast, Columbia posted a .444/.370/.350 slashline.
The turnover battle was won by the Lions, 22-13.
Guard Breauna Ware led Stony Brook with 12 points. She shot three-for-nine from the field and made six of her eight free-throw attempts. Behind her, Gonzalez delivered 11 points.
On the other side, Columbia guards Riley Weiss (18), Kitty Henderson (17) and Cecelia Collins (15) combined for 50 points.
Next, the Seawolves will return home for its opener at Stony Brook Arena against the Le Moyne Dolphins on Thursday. The Dolphins defeated SUNY Geneseo 55-48 in their season opener. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 6:31 p.m.
