SBU Sports: Women’s basketball topped by Holy Cross on the road 73-56

The Seawolves and Crusaders met for the second time in as many seasons as Holy Cross was able to avenge its loss at Stony Brook from last season with a 73-56 win on Dec. 8 at the Hart Center Arena in Worcester, Mass.

The Crusaders took control early in the first quarter en route to their fifth win of the season. Despite the defeat, the Seawolves had two players score in double figures, led by Shamarla King, who had 18 points and eight rebounds. Zaida Gonzalez tacked on 12 points and Janay Brantley added nine points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

Stony Brook struggled out of the gate as the Crusaders pulled off a 7-0 run to start the game.  falling behind 18-9 at the end of the first quarter. King, Gonzalez, and Brantley pieced together nine points to get the Seawolves on the board only trailing 18-9 after the first quarter.

Holy Cross adding to their lead, building a 27-15 advantage before Stony Brook went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from King, to narrow its deficit to 27-22. Chloe Oliver, Khalis Whiting, and Lauren Filien all had a hand in the Seawolves’ second quarter run. The Crusaders then responded, leaving the Seawolves trailing 37-24 heading into halftime.

Stony Brook’s deficit continued to grow after halftime as Holy Cross’ Simone Foreman went on a tear and scored 11 points through the third quarter as the Seawolves trailed 57-42. Gonzalez scored eight to help Stony Brook keep within striking distance of a potential comeback.

Holy Cross kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 60-42 advantage before Stony Brook went on another 7-0 run, finished off by Brantley’s three, to shrink the deficit to 60-49 with 6:31 to go in the contest. Holy Cross responded and outscored the Seawolves the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 73-56.

The team continues their nonconference road trip as they head upstate to take on No. 23 Buffalo on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+.