BY STEVEN MARCUS
Stony Brook vs. Hofstra. No matter the sport, the interest on both sides is significant.
Women's basketball is no exception and Tuesday night, for only the third time in Division I, the LI rivals get together. Host Hofstra has won the first two meetings, 92-65, in the 2005-2006 WNIT and then 82-67 last season. No easy choice here; the teams are in rebuilding mode. ``I think both teams are struggling a little bit,'' SBU coach Michele Cherry said. ``We both lost a lot of our offense from a year ago. I think these are two teams still trying to figure out our identities.'' Hofstra is 2-3; SBU 2-4.
It would appear SBU has more to gain if it can win. Amerca East beating a CAA opponent would suggest improvement in Cherry's first year. ``As far as a program marker, I don't know if it is or it isn't,'' she said. ``It would be a big win for us if we can get this game. Right now any game is a marker for us because we are so young.''