The Stony Brook women’s basketball team (4-19, 1-10 AE) fell to the New Hampshire Wildcats (8-16, 5-7 AE) at Pritchard Gymnasium on Wednesday night, 72-58.
The Seawolves started off on fire, going on a 10-point run in the first four minutes and holding New Hampshire to just two points.
But the Wildcats answered with a run of their own, scoring nine points in two minutes to take the lead.
The score continued to go back and forth, with both teams going on major runs. Senior Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) scored two foul shots to give the Seawolves a 21-20 lead. New Hampshire then went on a 14-2 run, making the score 34-23 in their advantage. Sophomore Sam Landers (Springfield, Va.) posted a three to stop the nearly six minute long run, but the Wildcats Lauren Wells, who scored a total of 17 points, hit a three with 15 seconds left, making the score 37-26, New Hampshire, at the half.
The game continued to seesaw in the second half, until the Wildcats Kate Early scored on a three-point play with 12 minutes left to give her team a 51-38 advantage. The Seawolves went on a nine point run in the next five minutes, only allowing New Hampshire one field goal, and cut the lead to 53-47 after junior Whitney Davis (Muskegon, Mich.) hit a jump shot.
Wells and teammate Sarah Frankenberger widened the lead to 59-49. With three minutes left, Jeter again scored two free throws to cut the score within seven, but the Wildcats held out and didn’t allow the Seawolves to get within eight points again.
The Seawolves shot 11-for-12 from the foul line, but their 36.7 shooting percent was no match for New Hampshire’s 57 percent and 25 points converted from Stony Brook turnovers.
Jeter had a total of 19 points and became the seventh player in the Stony Brook program to score 1,400 points. She led the team with rebounds (six) and steals (four) to be named American East Player of the Game. Davis also chipped in with 10 points.
Stony Brook plays again on Saturday, February 12 against Maine at 2 p.m. They follow the men’s game at the Stony Brook Arena.
