Despite dominating the middle quarters, the Stony Brook women’s basketball team allowed a fourth-quarter comeback before narrowly falling short in the extra period.
Looking to snap a five-game losing streak — their worst since the 2016-17 campaign — the Seawolves (11-17, 6-11 CAA) visited the Hofstra Pride (13-15, 8-9 CAA) for a Battle of Long Island showdown in Hempstead, N.Y., looking to replicate the events of the month prior. After outscoring the hosts by a combined 43-30 in the second and third frames, Stony Brook let an eight-point lead slip away and could not snatch the momentum back thereafter, losing 73-70 in its second overtime contest of the season.
With a minute left in the fourth quarter, the period had already proved to be somewhat of a disaster for the Seawolves — who had won nine straight against their rivals coming into the day. Leading 51-43 at the start, they shot 4-for-12 from the field during the frame’s opening nine minutes and committed three turnovers in that stretch.
Conversely, the Pride — feeding off the home crowd’s energy — rose to life with the affair on the line. Among the same timeframe, they posted 5-for-7 efficiency and came all the way back. Hofstra was led by first-year forward LaNae’ Corbett, who delivered on both ends of the floor in the final quarter, registering eight points — four coming from the free throw line — and a pair of blocks.
Despite this contrast between both teams, Stony Brook still had a clear opportunity to sweep this year’s Battle of Long Island, as it had possession with under a minute left and the game tied at 61 apiece.
That was until Hofstra guard Alarice Gooden arguably made the play of the contest.
Dribbling the ball at the top of the key, guard Breauna Ware tried to make something happen with five seconds left on the shot clock. However, while attempting to get to the paint, she was closed out by Hofstra forward Ramatoulaye Keita, allowing Gooden to surprise the Seawolves’ point guard from the side and poke the ball free.
Hofstra guard Emma Von Essen picked up the loose ball and sprinted the other way. She found Gooden in the left corner — in front of her own bench — who pump faked a three-pointer to shake forward Lauren Filien before pulling up and draining a mid-range jumpshot to give the Pride a 63-61 advantage.
The ensuing sequence was as chaotic as it gets. First, each side earned a trip to the charity stripe. While Ware made one of two, Gooden knocked down both of hers to give Hofstra a three-point lead, its largest since the second period. Then, guard Janay Brantley had a shot blocked by Hofstra center Zyheima Swint, though Stony Brook got the ball back after a Von Essen giveaway three seconds later.
With a chance to tie the affair back up, guard Zaida Gonzalez missed a three. However, Filien grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled, sending her to the line. She made her first attempt but missed the second, which worked out for the Seawolves, as it controlled another offensive board. With 10 ticks remaining, Gonzalez played iso ball and was fouled. With the Pride in the bonus, she was sent to the stripe and connected on a pair of clutch free throws to send the game to overtime.
The added five minutes was a back-and-forth battle. Both teams executed offensively, but Hofstra did so at the right time. With 1:28 left in overtime, Filien split a trip to the charity stripe, giving Stony Brook a 70-69 edge. On the Pride’s ensuing approach, Swint drained a wide-open jumper just beyond the free throw line.
Looking to regain the advantage, the Seawolves committed a costly turnover after guard Shamarla King could not control a pass in the interior by Ware, leading to a jump ball. With the possession arrow favoring Hofstra, the hosts took control.
The Pride took a two-point lead thereafter following guard Sabrina Larsson’s conversion of one of two free throws after being fouled by Brantley. Ultimately, Stony Brook came up short as it ended the game with three empty possessions — made up of misses from beyond the arc from Gonzalez and King, as well as a turnover from the former. A mirroring trip to the line from Hofstra guard Kassidy Thompson — who hit on just one just like Larsson — made the final score 73-70.
Head coach Joy McCorvey did not speak to the media after the game.
The Seawolves posted a .379/.250/.793 shooting line with 17 turnovers. Contrarily, Hofstra registered a .422/.308/.682 alongside 15 giveaways.
Ware led Stony Brook in scoring with a career-high 30 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She made her only attempt from three-point range and went 15-for-17 from the stripe.
King and Gonzalez combined for 32 points. Filien chipped in with eight points, and no one else on the Seawolves scored outside of the aforementioned quartet.
The Pride showcased their depth with five double-digit scorers, led by Gooden, who scored 13 points on 4-of-7 efficiency.
The Seawolves will wrap up their regular season on Saturday at Stony Brook Arena. They will host the Drexel Dragons, who are 16-11 overall and 12-5 in Coastal Athletic Association play after a blowout 82-59 loss to Delaware. This will be the sides’ first matchup of this campaign. Opening tip-off is scheduled for noon.
