It was business as usual for the Stony Brook women’s basketball team on Tuesday night, Dec. 3 as the Seawolves defeated the Lions of Molloy College by a final score of 66-49. Following the victory, their seventh win on the season, Stony Brook has managed to keep up their impressive start to the season.

The Seawolves led from the first point and never allowed a lead change or even a tie to occur. Stony Brook shot more efficiently from all areas of the field, with a 37.9% FG% to Molloy’s 28.6% as well as a 39.3% 3PT% to Molloy’s 31.3%. Despite the overall performance, the team’s second-quarter numbers weren’t up to the team’s standards, as it was the only quarter Molloy ever led in. 

“For the second half, we knew we had to pick it up,” graduate guard Kaela Hilaire said in a postgame interview with The Statesman. “The way we came out in the first quarter is the way we should be coming out all game.”

With solid performances from Hilaire — 17 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds — and junior forward India Pagan — 11 points, 5 rebounds — the Seawolves claimed the victory.

“We have to stay consistent,” Pagan said in a postgame interview. “Focus on defense and the offense will come.”

“Really, when our defense got it going in the first quarter and the third quarter, we were really good,” head coach Caroline McCombs said in a postgame interview. “We just continued to rebound and run and look to score in transition.”

For a team that has won seven of its last eight games, the Seawolves continue to shine and show signs of growth. Despite not playing up to their own self-proclaimed standards, the team got together and showed the determination needed to focus on their strengths and win Stony Brook basketball.

Their next opponent will provide a tough matchup, as the team heads to Pittsburgh to take on a Power 5 team, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.