Women's Basketball Ends Losing Skid in 59-52 Overtime Win Against A-East Rival Stony Brook

Albany, N.Y. - Freshman guard Ebone Henry had seven of her career-high 26 points in overtime, as UAlbany rallied in the second half for a 59-52 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes ended a nine-game losing streak.

UAlbany (8-15, AE 1-9) drew even at 48 apiece in regulation when Henry converted a fastbreak off Charity Iromuanya's pass. The Seawolves' Sam Landers missed a three-pointer from the left corner with two seconds remaining. The Great Danes led all the way in the extra period. Iromuanya followed a blocked shot in the lane for a 55-52 lead. Henry made a steal and canned four free throws in the final minute.

"I am getting more comfortable with the college game and a lot more confident with my shot, " said Henry, who reached double figures for the 12th time this season. "I tried not to think about my free throws. I stayed focused and fortunately they went in."

Stony Brook (7-17, AE 5-7) built a 44-34 advantage with less than eight minutes to play. Kirsten Jeter, a junior forward who registered her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 15 rebounds, sank a three-point field goal and Gerda Gaitling connected on a driving bank shot in that stretch.

The Great Danes, who held the visitors to 8-of-37 shooting after the intermission, got back into the contest with nine unanswered. Tabitha Makopondo hit a bank shot off a lob pass, before Iromuanya drilled a 3-pointer from left of the key to slice the deficit to one. After the Seawolves moved out to a 48-43, Iromuanya nailed another long-range jumper to set up the finish.

In the first half, Stony Brook reversed a 12-9 deficit with six straight points. Crystal Rushin, who had 13 points off the bench, made a turnaround in the lane before Joia Daniels' offensive rebound basket put her team ahead. UAlbany drew even at 15 apiece on Felicia Johnson's 3-pointer from the top of the arc.

The Seawolves broke the tie with a pair of steals that led to baskets by Jeter in transition. After Iromuanya closed the gap to 21-20 with a three-pointer, Stony Brook's Daniels made a left-handed drive and a baseline jumper to end the period. The shooting percentages for both teams hovered around 30 percent throughout the half.

Henry, who produced the highest scoring total by a UAlbany player this season, made 8-of 14 from the field to go with nine rebounds and three steals. Iromuanya netted 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Daniels had 13 points for the Seawolves, who won the first meeting between the teams on Jan. 19th.

"We have been right there (in terms of winning) and we played with much more confidence," explained UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team gave highly-regarded Vermont all it could handle four days ago. "We fed off Charity's energy and Ebone did not play like a freshman."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information