Despite a gritty effort and tough defense, the Seawolves were outdone by the Hartford Hawks Saturday at Pritchard Gymnasium, falling 60-42 to drop to 4-5 in conference play. The Seawolves struggled offensively, recording their second lowest scoring output since putting only 38 points on the board to the same Hartford Hawks in early January.
Coach Michele Cherry was clear when asked what she believed cost her team the game. “Our shooting percentage,” she said. “Gotta make shots.”
From the start of the game, the Hawks, who have not lost a conference game this season, seized the upper hand by securing the tip-off and scoring the first four points.
The Seawolves fought back, however. After falling behind 13-4, the home team managed a 7-1 run to pull itself back in the game, using to strong defense and solid rebounding. The Seaowlves managed to tie the score and unleash cheers from the fans in attendance and the Stony Brook Pep Band.
However, strong effort was soon to become the only good news for Seawolves fans.
Stony Brook broke the foul limit with 9:30 left in the first half, and the Hawks executed the triangle-offense to continued success. Hartford won the rebounding battle early, tallying 16 rebounds, 7 of them on offensive end, and holding a 26-21 lead at the halftime break.
The Seawolves’ offensive woes worsened in the second period. The team made approximately 21 percent of its shots, despite coming out of the break with intensity and energetic play.
Meanwhile, the Hawks began scoring at will. Junior guard Jackie Smith scored a career-high 19 points for Hartford, making all six of her three-point shots.
“She’s a good shooter,” said Coach Cherry later. “She did what good shooters do.”
Things got rough when junior Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) was fouled hard while attempting a lay-up midway through the second half. After being attended to by the staff, Jeter was able to walk over to the bench without help. She would return a few minutes later and finish with 9 points and 6 rebounds, leading the team in boards while junior guard Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Penn.) led the team in scoring with 12 points.
Sophomore center Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.) was also hit hard in the second half and was forced to leave the game.
“They’ll be re-evaluated,” said Coach Cherry after the game when asked about the condition of her players. “It’s a physical game.”
The Seawolves travel to New Hampshire to face the Wildcats Wednesday night. Tip off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
