WOMEN'S HOOP RETURNS HOME TO TAKE ON HARTFORD (JAN. 9)
THE MATCHUP
Saturday's matchup is the 49th meeting between
the Wildcats and the Hawks. New Hampshire is looking to snap a
13-game draught against Hartford, the longest stretch without a win
against any Wildcat opponent. The last New Hampshire victory
against the Hawks came during the 2002-03 season when the Wildcats
swept the series. In that season, the Wildcats earned a 56-53 road
victory before grabbing a 60-50 home win. The Wildcats earned
victories in seven of the first eight meetings with the Hawks.
SCOUTING HARTFORD (11-3, 2-0 AE):
The University of Hartford opened up conference
play with a 69-66 victory over UMBC on Jan. 6 ... With the win, the
Hawks improved to 11-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play ...
Leading the way was senior Diana Delva, who was named the America
East Player of the Game, finishing with 17 points and seven
rebounds ... Delva was one of four players in double figures with
Ilicia Mathis adding 12, while Erica Beverly and Daphne Elliott
each added 10 ... The Hawks finished the game shooting 38.9 percent
(21-of-54) from the field, including 28.0 percent (7-of-25) from
beyond the arc ... For Harford, the win was its fourth
straight ... The Hawks have just three losses this season, all to
formidable opponents, a list which includes UConn, Providence and
Marist ... Hartford is 7-0 at home this season, but has struggled
on the road, piecing together a 4-3 record ... Currently the Hawks
have given up the fewest points of any team in the conference, with
an average of 57.3 points per game this season ... As an offense,
Hartford ranks fourth in the America East with an average of 62.6
points per game ... The Hawks rank first in the conference in
rebounds, totaling 557 this year ... They also rank first in the
America East in blocks with 78, posting 5.6 per game ... Delva
leads the Hawks with 15.1 points per game this season, a mark which
stands as the fourth-best scoring total in the conference ... Her
point total comes with great marksmanship, as she is shooting a
conference-best 64.3 percent from the floor ... Delva has been
equally active on the boards, ripping down a conference-best 8.6
rebounds per game ... Beverly has added steady production for the
Hawks, averaging 9.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per
game.
SCOUTING NEW HAMPSHIRE (5-9, 0-2 AE):
Last time out the University of New Hampshire
women's basketball team dropped a 69-57 decision to Stony Brook at
the Sports Complex on Wednesday night ... Candace Williams
(Norfolk, Mass.) scored a team-high 17 points, while also tallying
seven rebounds and a block, earning America East Player of the Game
honors for New Hampshire ... Williams leads the team with an
impressive 7.1 rebounds per game, which currently ranks seventh in
the conference ... She now has 1,055 points and 583 rebounds for
her career, totals that rank 12th and ninth, respectively, all-time
in program history ... For Stony Brook, Kirsten Jeter was selected
as Player of the Game, netting a game-high 21 points and 10
rebounds, along with four steals ... The win improved the Seawolves
to 3-11 overall and 1-1 in America East play, while the Wildcats
fell to 5-9 overall and 0-2 in conference action ... Lauren Wells
(West Chester, Pa.) finished the night with eight points, five
rebounds and a steal ... Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) added nine
points, five blocks and three boards ... McDonald has now tallied a
block in each of the last 10 games ... She currently ranks second
in the conference in blocks with 34 this season, which is good for
an average of 2.4 per game ... She also has the second-best field
goal percentage in the conference with .529 shooting clip ...
As a team, the Wildcats currently rank first in conference play in
blocks, with 13 (6.5 bpg) in their first two America East matchups
... Overall, the 'Cats have been just as stellar, tallying the
second-best block total in the conference with 69 ... New Hampshire
is shooting an impressive .381 clip from the floor this season, a
mark that currently ranks third in conference ... Amy Simpson
(Waterford, Conn.) currently ranks second in the conference in
assists, with an average of 5.4 per game this season ... The
Wildcats currently have three players averaging in double figure
scoring, with Williams leading the way with 12.6 points per game,
while Denise Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.) and McDonald are
averaging 12.2 and 10.9 points per game ... The last time at least
three Wildcats ended the season averaging double-figures in scoring
was the 2007-08 campaign, when Simpson averaged 11.3 points, Ashley
Cerniglia averaged 10.8 points, Williams averaged 10.5 points and
Beliveau averaged 10.0 points per game ... In the game prior,
the 'Cats fell just short against Vermont, 53-55 on Jan. 2 at
Lundholm Gymnasium ... The ‘Cats held the Catamounts to 33.3
percent shooting in the contest, while shooting a .375 clip from
the floor ... McDonald was named the America East Player of the
Game for UNH, tallying 12 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and
two assists ... For Vermont, Courtnay Pilypaitis took home Player
of the Game honors, notching a game-high 22 points and 17 rebounds
... Beliveau finished the afternoon with 17 points, six rebounds,
two blocks and a steal ... Simpson added two points, seven rebounds
and seven assists ... Williams chipped in with seven points and
eight rebounds.
TWO OF A KIND
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) is one of just
two Wildcats all-time to tally at least 900 points, 250 assists and
100 steals in a career at UNH. For her career, the senior has
racked up 943 points, 282 assists and 110 steals. The only other
'Cat to reach such milestones is Martha Morrison, who played for
UNH from 1978-82, finishing her career with 914 points, 368 assists
and 167 steals.
WILDCAT BLOCK PARTY
The Wildcats currently rank first in the
conference in blocks with 13 in their first two America East
matchups. Overall, the 'Cats have been just as impressive, tallying
the second best block total in the conference with 69, which is
good for an average of 4.9 per game. Jill McDonald (Middlebury,
Vt.) leads the way for the 'Cats this season, notching 34 blocks,
while Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) ranks second on the squad with
11.
RE-WRITING THE HISTORY BOOKS
Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) ranks second in
the conference in blocks with 34 this season, which is good for an
average of 2.4 per game. She has been on an especially hot pace
since the start of conference play, with an average of 4.5 blocks
per game, a mark that ranks first in the America East. The center
has tallied at least four blocks in four of the last five games and
has notched a block in each of the last 10 games. Her most
impressive outing came against then 23rd-ranked Syracuse Orange on
Dec. 30, when she set the UNH single-game record for blocks with
seven. In her most recent action, she notched five blocks against
Stony Brook, marking the third time this season she has swatted at
least five shots. The first time she reached the 5-block plateau
came against Louisville on Dec. 22, which also marked the first
time a Wildcat tallied at least five blocks in a game since Ray
Williams reached the mark against Yale on Nov. 19, 2005. The quick
start is nothing new for the junior, as she is picking up right
where she left off last season, when she tallied the second best
single-season block total in program history with 47. For her
career, she ranks fifth all-time in blocks with 90.
3-POINT SPECIALIST
Lauren Wells (West Chester, Pa.) has tallied a
team-high 17 3-point field goals this season, while shooting the
fourth-best field goal percentage (.395) in the conference from
beyond the arc. The success from downtown is a pleasant surprise
for the guard, who knocked down just seven treys from 3-point range
last season paired with a .194 shooting percentage. Wells is
averaging 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game this
season.
TICKLE THE TWINE
New Hampshire is shooting an impressive .381
clip from the floor this season, a mark that currently ranks third
in conference. UNH's stellar marksmanship from the field comes
after a season in which the 'Cats shot 35.7 percent from the floor.
The last time the Wildcats finished the season with a shooting clip
above .380 was during the 2006-07 campaign, when they finished the
year with a 38.3 shooting percentage.
ALL ABOARD
New Hampshire currently ranks second in the
conference with an average of 37.9 rebounds per game. In their most
recent action against Stony Brook, the Wildcats outrebounded the
Seawolves 37 to 35. The 'Cats have tallied 40 or more boards in six
games this season and have lead in total rebounds seven times.
REED IT AND WEEP
Cari Reed (Oswego, N.Y.) has provided a major
punch off the bench for the 'Cats in the last three games,
averaging 4.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Against No. 23 Syracuse on Dec. 30, she achieved career-highs in
points (6) and assists (4) in 21 minutes of action. Against Vermont
on Jan. 2, the guard scored three points, pulled in a career-high
five rebounds and tallied two assists. On the season, the freshman
is shooting an impressive 42.9 percent (6-for-14) from beyond the
arc, while shooting 33.3 percent (8-for-24) from the floor.
MAKE ROOM AT THE TOP
Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) pulled in
seven boards against Stony Brook on Jan. 6, moving her to ninth
all-time in career rebounds with 583. The senior leads the team
with 7.1 rebounds per game, a total that currently ranks seventh in
the conference. Williams has compiled at least seven rebounds in
five of the last six games, including an outing against Canisius
College on Dec. 28, when she tallied a season-high 11 rebounds.
RAINING 3'S
The Wildcats drained a season-high 10
3-pointers against No. 23 Syracuse University on Dec. 30, making it
the first time UNH has achieved the feat since draining 14
trifectas against Colgate on Dec. 5, 2008. Denise Beliveau
(Framingham, Mass.) led the way knocking down a season-high four
trifectas, while Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) and Cari Reed
(Oswego, N.Y.) each hit two apiece and Lauren Wells (West Chester,
Pa.) and Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) each added a trey to the
mix. Wells leads the Wildcats with 15 3-point field goals this
season, while shooting a team best 36.6 percent from down town.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE
Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) notched her
first double-double of the season against Canisius College on Dec.
28 with 12 points and 11 rebounds. For Williams, the impressive
mark comes as her 14th career double-double. Last season, the
forward earned a conference-best 10 double-doubles. As a team, UNH
has had three players notch double-doubles this season. Aside from
Williams, Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) is the most recent Wildcat
to achieve the feat, notching 10 points and a career-high 11
assists against Holy Cross on Dec. 20. Before that, Denise Beliveau
(Framingham, Mass.) notched her first double-double of the season
on Nov. 24 against Harvard with 14 points and 14 rebounds. For the
forward, it was her third career double-double as she also notched
double digit efforts against Northeastern (22 pts, 10 rbs) on Dec.
15, 2007 and Binghamton (18 pts, 11 rbs) on Jan. 19, 2008.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
With UNH's 42-40 victory over Canisius College
on Dec. 28, the Wildcats snapped a seven-game America East
Conference losing streak against the Golden Griffins. Earlier this
season, Canisius earned a pair of wins against America East
opponents, with victories over Binghamton (49-46) and Albany
(52-41). For New Hampshire, the win comes as the program's second
in its last three meetings against Canisius College.
KC MASTERPIECE
After rounding out non-conference play against
Syracuse on Dec. 30, UNH head coach Kristin Cole is off to her best
start during her tenure at New Hampshire, leading the 'Cats to a
5-7 record in non-conference play to kick off the season. The
impressive total comes as the most non-conference wins the Wildcats
have earned since also tallying five wins during the 2006-07
campaign.
DOING THE DISHES
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) has stepped up
in her new role as point guard this season, notching the
second-best assist total in the conference with 76 through the
first 14 games this year. Against Louisville on Dec. 22, she
tallied her second best assist total of the season, dishing out
eight assists for the second time this year. In the game prior, she
tied a career-high with 11 assists against Holy Cross College on
Dec. 20. The last time she reached the 11-assist mark came against
UMBC on Feb. 2, 2008. For her career, Simpson has tallied 282
assists, ranking her 11th all-time in program history. To break
into the top-10 all-time, Simpson needs just five assists, which at
her current pace should be attained in one game. Simpson has
been stellar across the board for the ‘Cats this year,
averaging 4.9 points, 5.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per
game.
TRIPLE THREAT
Three Wildcats scored in double-figures for the
fourth time this season against Louisville on Dec. 22. Candace
Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) and Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) each
tallied 18 points, while Lauren Wells (West Chester, Pa.) added 12
points. The last time three Wildcats scored in double-figures was
in UNH's 78-65 overtime victory over Harvard on Nov. 24. In that
contest, Williams (18), McDonald (17) and Denise Beliveau (14)
helped achieve the feat. The trio was at it once again versus UMass
as Williams (17), Beliveau (15), and McDonald (10) all scored in
double-digits. UNH first accomplished the plateau this season
against St. Joseph's, as Beliveau led the way with 21 points, while
Williams and Wells tallied 15 and 12 points, respectively, leading
the 'Cats to a 64-56 victory at Lundholm Gymnasium.
CAREER NIGHT
Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) tallied
career-highs in points (18) and rebounds (9) against Louisville on
Dec. 22. McDonald reached the 18-point mark in the game prior
against Holy Cross, when she helped lead the 'Cats to an 80-72
victory. The success is nothing new for the junior center, as she
is off to a stellar start this season, posting 10.9 points, 4.9
rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game this year.
DOING WELLS
Lauren Wells (West Chester, (Pa.) tallied 12
points, one shy of her career high, against the University of
Louisville on Dec. 22. In addition, she also compiled a career-high
four steals in the contest. For Wells, it was the second time this
season she has scored 12 points, as she also reached the mark in a
64-56 win against St. Joseph's on Nov. 13.
TORCHING THE NETS
The Wildcats scored 80 points against Holy
Cross on Dec. 20, marking the largest point total posted by New
Hampshire since it notched 85 points against UMBC on Jan. 10, 2009.
The 80-point output not only comes as a season-high in scoring, but
it also marks the first time UNH has shot over 50 percent (54.4;
31-57) from the floor since the ‘Cats did so against Iona on
Dec. 12, 2007, when they finished with a .500 percent (30-60)
shooting clip.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
So far this season the Wildcats have been
playing stellar defense against some impressive company. They have
held opponents to a conference-best .343 shooting percentage from
the floor this year, while shooting an impressive .381 clip
themselves. The fresh start comes against an A-10 (St. Joseph's,
UMass), an ACC (Maryland) and three Big East (Seton Hall,
Louisville, Syracuse) programs, following a season in which
opponents shot .404 from the field against the ‘Cats. Most
recently against No. 23 Syracuse, the ‘Cats held the Orange
to their second lowest offensive output this season, allowing just
58 points and forcing them to shoot just 31.5 percent from the
floor. Against Canisius College on Dec. 28, the Wildcats held the
Golden Griffins to .267 shooting and just 40 points, marks that are
both team-highs. Against Quinnipiac on Nov. 29, New Hampshire held
the Bobcats to just 29.5 percent shooting. In the game prior versus
Harvard, the Wildcats kicked off the game playing stingy defense
against the Crimson, holding them scoreless for the first 5:16 of
the action and not allowing a field goal until the 8:44 mark. In
UNH's 58-57 win over UMass on Nov. 20, the Wildcats compiled a
season-high 13 steals and forced a season-best 27 turnovers. In
UNH's matchup against No. 21 Maryland on Nov. 16, the ‘Cats
pestered the Terps into shooting just .278 from the field, holding
their offense to just 63 points, which was Maryland's second lowest
point total in the last 29 games dating back to last season. The
only team to hold the Terps to an even lower point total was
Louisville, who defeated Maryland 77-60 in the NCAA Elite Eight on
March 30, 2009. Against St. Joe's, the ‘Cats were just as
impressive, holding the Hawks to just .277 shooting and a total of
56 points.
5-HEADED MONSTER
Five Wildcats finished in double-figure scoring
in an 80-72 decision against Holy Cross College on Dec. 22. Denise
Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.) led all scorers with 20 points and was
followed by Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.; 18 points, six
rebounds), Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.; 15 points, nine
rebounds), Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.; 10 points, 11 assists)
and Racheal Fowler (Glassboro, N.J.; 10 points). The last time five
Wildcats scored in double-figures was against Colgate on Dec. 5,
2008, when Simpson (24), Abigial LaRosa (Hampton, N.H.) (19),
Williams (13), Chrissy Hall (Northbridge, Mass.) (13) and Fowler
(10) all scored in double-figures.
SPREADING THE FLOOR
The Wildcats currently have three players
averaging in double-figure scoring, with Candace Williams (Norfolk,
Mass.) leading the way with 12.6 points per game, while
Denise Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.)and Jill McDonald (Middlebury,
Vt.) are averaging 12.2 and 10.9 points per game. Currently, the
'Cats are one of just four teams in the conference to have three or
more players averaging in double-figures. The last time at least
three Wildcats ended the season averaging double-figures in scoring
was the 2007-08 campaign, when Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.)
averaged 11.3 points, Ashley Cerniglia averaged 10.8 points,
Williams averaged 10.5 points and Beliveau averaged 10.0 points per
game.
STEALING THE SHOW
Denise Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.) tied her
career-high with five steals against Seton Hall on Dec. 3, marking
the third time she has reached the mark in her UNH career. It was
also the first time a Wildcat compiled five steals in a game since
Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) did so on Dec. 5, 2008 against
Colgate. On the season, Beliveau has tallied multiple steals in a
game eight times for the Wildcats. She currently leads the team
with 26 steals, with an average of 1.9 steals per game.
3-POINT PARADE
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) knocked down a
3-pointer on Dec. 30 against Syracuse, giving her 174 3-point field
goals for her career. The impressive total ranks second all-time in
program history, five field goals shy of Heidi Plencner's all-time
mark of 179. This season, Simpson has drilled 13 trifectas,
averaging 4.8 points per game. Last year, she notched 62
3-pointers, which was the best single-season mark in program
history.
CENTURY CLUB
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) tallied a steal
against Syracuse on Dec. 30, giving her 110 steals for her Wildcat
career. The impressive total ranks 22nd all-time in program
history. The last Wildcat to break into the 100-steal club was
Whitney Edwards, who played for the 'Cats from 2003-07 and compiled
229 for her career, which ranks second all-time in program history.
On the season, Simpson ranks second on team with 17 steals,
averaging 1.2 per game.
RIGHT ON POINT
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) scored six
points last time out against Stony Brook, giving her 69 on the
young the season. She now has 943 points for her career, which
ranks 15th all-time in program history. Her two best offensive
outbursts came against No. 21 Maryland and Holy Cross, when she
tallied a season-high 11 and 10 points, respectively. The point
guard came up in the clutch for the Wildcats against Harvard as she
drained the first of two free throws to send the game into overtime
tied at 58-58. Simpson led the charge in the overtime period as the
Wildcats outscored the Crimson 20-7 to earn the 78-65 victory. Last
season she notched a career-high 357 points, averaging 11.5 points
per game. In the season prior, she finished with 315 points, with
an average of 11.3 points per game.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
After tallying 18 points and pulling down five
rebounds against Louisville on Dec. 22, Candace Williams (Norfolk,
Mass.) became just the eleventh Wildcat to score over 1,000 points
and compile 500 rebounds in program history. For her career she has
compiled 1,055 points and 583 rebounds. The last 'Cat to
achieve the feat was Danielle Clark in 2007, who finished her UNH
career with 1,331 points and 579 rebounds. Kris Kinney tops the
list, finishing her UNH career with 2,231 points and 897 rebounds
after a four-year stint with the 'Cats from 1985-89.
CONSISTENT 'CAT
Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) netted 17
points against Stony Brook on Jan. 6, making it the 16th time in
the last 20 games dating back to last year she has scored in
double-figures. Against Louisville on Dec. 22, she notched a
season-high 18 points for the third time this year. Her two other
18-point outings came in back-to-back efforts against Quinnipiac
(Nov. 29) and Harvard (Nov. 24). During the 20 game span, she has
tallied 22 points on two occasions, the latest coming in a 66-62
win over Albany at the SEFCU Arena on Feb. 28, 2009. Her other
22-point outburst came against defending conference champion
Vermont on Feb. 22, 2009. Last year she posted double-figures in
all 23 games to start the season, including back-to-back 25-plus
point games. She had a career-high 27-point performance at Boston
University (Jan. 17, 2009), then posted 26 at Stony Brook (Jan. 21,
2009). In 1998-99, Orsi Farkas posted double figures in all 31
games for the Wildcats.
IN THE CLUTCH
With UNH's 78-65 overtime victory over Harvard
University on Nov. 24, the Wildcats have now won their last six
decisions in overtime dating back to March 1, 2003, when UNH
defeated Stony Brook 70-67 in the extra frame. Tuesday's win marks
the largest margin of victory in overtime in program history. It is
also UNH's first win against Harvard since Dec. 29, 1999, when the
Wildcats defeated the Crimson 70-58 at Lundholm Gymnasium.
A-10 SPECIAL
UNH's 58-57 win over UMass on Nov. 20 marked
the first time the Wildcats knocked off two Atlantic-10 teams in
the same season since the 1989-90 campaign. The 'Cats earned their
first victory over an Atlantic-10 opponent this season on Nov. 13,
when they defeated St. Joseph's University 64-56 at Lundholm
Gymnasium. During the 1989-90 season, the Wildcats defeated Rhode
Island 67-56 on Nov. 28 and earned a 66-60 win against UMass on
Dec. 9 to complete the A-10 sweep in non-conference play.
PICTURE PERFECT
In addition to her 21 points and nine rebounds
in UNH's 64-56 win over St. Joseph's University on Nov. 13, Denise
Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.) tied her career high in free throws
made, knocking down 10-of-10 shots from the charity stripe.
Included in that total are four tallies which came in the last two
minutes of play to seal the victory for the 'Cats. It was the first
time a Wildcat shot 100 percent from the foul line since Danielle
Clark (12-12) did so on Nov. 26, 2006 against Iona. The last time
Beliveau knocked down 10 free throws in a game came against
Northeastern on Dec. 15, 2007. She finished that night with 22
points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
LAST TIME OUT
Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) dropped in a
team-high 17 points, but the University of New Hampshire women's
basketball team fell to Stony Brook University, 69-57, at the Stony
Brook Sports Complex Wednesday night.
The win improves the Seawolves to 3-11 overall
and 1-1 in America East play. While the Wildcats fall to 5-9
overall and 0-2 in conference action.
Williams, who in addition to scoring 17 points,
also pulled in seven rebounds and notched one block, was selected
as the America East Player of the Game for New Hampshire. For Stony
Brook, Kirsten Jeter took home Player of the Game honors, netting a
game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, along with four steals.
After starting the game with a 4-2 lead
following a Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) free throw, the
Seawolves posted a 7-0 run to jump ahead 9-4 with 14:50 remaining
in the first half.
Diamon Beckford (Philadelphia, Pa.) would
disrupt SBU's pace with a 3-pointer at 14:24, cutting the
deficit down to two points, with score set at 9-7 in favor of the
home team. Kirsten Jeter would strike back with a layup and a pair
of free throws that pushed the score to 13-7 at 13:02.
New Hampshire would fire back with a layup by
Beckford and a jumper by Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn), to once
again slice the deficit down to just two points, setting the score
at 13-11, with 10:47 remaining.
Moments later, Destiny Jacobs would get the
Seawolves back in the action, as she layed the ball in to set off a
string of eight unanswered points, giving the home team its largest
lead to that point, pushing ahead 21-11 at 9:20.
The ‘Cats would bite back with a 10-0
scoring stretch that lasted nearly three minutes, as Racheal Fowler
(Glassboro, N.J) polished things off with a jumper in the paint,
knotting the score even at 21-21.
For the next 3:30 both teams would exchange
baskets, until Stony Brook caught fire late in the stanza when
Jeter nailed a pair of free throws, kicking off a 9-0 run to close
out the half. Misha Horsey iced the run, knocking down a 3-pointer
at the halftime buzzer, giving the home team the 37-29 advantage at
the intermission.
Stony Brook would be the first to get things
started in the second frame, as Crystal Rushin dropped in a layup
to push SBU's lead up to 10 once again, with a 39-29 advantage at
19:19.
It wouldn't take long for the ‘Cats to
get back on track, as McDonald, Lauren Wells (West Chester, Pa.)
and Williams all buried layups on ensuing possessions, cutting the
lead down to four with 17:33 to play.
Sam Landers and Horsey would strike back with
jumpers on back-to-back possessions, helping SBU build its lead to
eight, with the score 43-35. However, Williams would help give the
‘Cats a lift, laying in the ball off the glass and lacing two
free throws, to narrow the gap to just six points.
Despite the quick offensive spurt by New
Hampshire, it wasn't enough to trip up the Seawolves, who came back
with a pair of 3-pointers on consecutive trips up the floor. Denise
Beliveau (Framingham, Mass.) added a free throw and McDonald buried
a layup in the midst the action, but SBU would cap off the 1:08
stretch with a jumper by Horsey, giving the Seawolves their largest
lead of the night, with the score 54-42 at 12:32.
Moments later, Cari Reed (Oswego, N.Y.) would
ignite the ‘Cats drilling a trifecta, setting off a 9-4 UNH
run that cut the score to 58-51 with 3:36 remaining. However, for
New Hampshire, the run was too little too late, as Stony Brook
scored 11 of the game's last 17 points, to hold onto the
victory.
Wells finished the night with eight points,
five rebounds and a steal. McDonald added nine points, five blocks
and three boards.
For Stony Brook, Horsey was the team's second
leading scorer, notching 16 points, five assists and two steals.
Tamiel Murray chipped in with nine points, five rebounds and five
steals.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) a senior guard
on the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team, was
honored as Player of the Week by the America East Conference on
Dec. 21.
Simpson recorded 10 points and a career-high 11
assists to propel the Wildcats to an 80-72 victory Sunday afternoon
against Holy Cross at Lundholm Gymnasium. Simpson also recorded two
steals, two blocks, two rebounds and was one of five Wildcats in
double digit scoring in the contest.
After trailing 37-33 at the half, Simpson
ignited the ‘Cats with 15:37 remaining, sparking a 10-0 run
by setting up Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) with a layup and
scoring a basket of her own on ensuing possessions in a span of
2:37 to take a 49-39 lead. She then helped UNH build its largest
lead of the game with a steal and a long outlet pass to Racheal
Fowler (Glassboro, N.J.) for a layup, capped off with a 3-pointer
by Simpson on the next possession to push the score to 71-56 in
favor of the home team.
Scoring all of her 10 points in the second
frame, Simpson helped the Wildcats outscore the Crusaders 47 to 35
in the stanza, as the team posted an impressive .615 percent
shooting clip from the floor. Not to mention, the 80-point output
by the ‘Cats is the largest point total posted by New
Hampshire since it notched 85 points against UMBC on Jan. 10,
2009.
WILDCATS PICKED FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The University of New Hampshire women's
basketball team received 38 points to place fourth in the America
East preseason poll that was released this afternoon by the
conference.
The Wildcats finished last season in fifth
place in the conference with an 8-23 record, including a 6-10 mark
against America East opponents, after being picked seventh in last
year's preseason poll. New Hampshire's 38-point total tied with
Boston University, who is coming off an undefeated conference
regular season and its first appearance in the postseason WNIT.
UMBC finished followed closely behind UNH and BU, with 35 points in
the sixth place spot.
Vermont, last year's conference champion, is
predicted to once again capture the title, receiving five first
place votes and tallying 61 points. Hartford is selected to finish
second with 60 points, garnering four first place votes in the
poll. Binghamton is predicted to finish third, with 45 points.
Stony Brook University is slated to finish
seventh (23 points), while the University of Maine (13) and the
University at Albany (11 points) round out the final three spots in
the poll.
