Yesterday evening, in a moment we anticipated since she first stepped on the court as a seventh-grader, Niamh Scanlon took her place in the pantheon of Stony Brook basketball greats by scoring her 1,000th career point. When she splashed a 3-pointer from the right wing in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Scanlon became just the seventh girls’ basketball player to eclipse the millennial mark and only the fourth to score all 1,000 points in a Stony Brook uniform.
As if yesterday’s Senior Night was not memorable enough, Scanlon’s 3-pointer also tied the program’s single-game scoring record, which she eclipsed moments later on a layup. The senior finished with 44 points to break the previous record held by Stony Brook Hall of Famer Kristyn Dunleavy, who torched Pierson for 39 points twice in 2006 on January 6 and January 31.
Scanlon began the night with 963 career points and anticipated having a chance to break the milestone in Tuesday’s home game vs. Avenues, but the senior caught fire early to pull history away from the future. After Ava McCormick opened the scoring with a layup, Martin Luther connected on a 3-pointer to take a brief lead. Scanlon followed with her first points to begin a 28-0 Bear run before hitting her first of six 3-pointers on the night. Chloe Feldman, Jocelyn McCrain, McCormick, and Scanlon each followed with layups before McCrain stole an inbounds pass and scored for a 17-3 lead. Scanlon notched the last eight points of the frame on a 3-point play, a 3-pointer, and a layup to tally 15 points for the quarter and give The Brook a 25-3 advantage.
The Bears continued their onslaught in the second frame as their lead swelled to 46-7 behind seven more points from Scanlon. Her 22 total at the half brought her within 15 points of the milestone and, with the victory all but assured, the focus turned to Scanlon’s countdown as the third quarter began.
A tough layup. 13 to go.
Her fourth 3-pointer. 10 to go.
A free throw. 9 to go.
A steal and score. 7 to go.
Another free throw. 6 to go.
A pair of free throws. 4 to go.
A 3-pointer. 1 to go.
The final seconds of the third period ticked away with Scanlon perched on 999 points, allowing word to quickly spread throughout Swanson that history was at the door. The Blue Fan Group did not have to wait long for its arrival.
Following a Luther jumper, Scanlon received a ball reversal on the right wing and cashed a jumper we’ve seen so often it’s committed to our memories to elicit a roar from the Swanson faithful and a broad smile from the latest in a long line of outstanding Blue & White basketball players. On the ensuing possession, a layup broke her tie with Dunleavy for the single-game scoring record. After she hit the milestone, with only a minute gone in the fourth, coach sent a substitution to the table for Scanlon, but her night was not quite done. She was fouled on a 3-pointer and connected on a trio from the stripe to reset the scoring standard to 44 points.
From the moment Scanlon arrived on campus, she’s been a winner. She was at the core of five straight undefeated league championship seasons for the volleyball team, earning two All-PSAA honors in the process. She’s earned two All-PSAA recognitions in track and helped the 2019 team win the PSAA title. And on the court, where she shone brightest, she led the team to a trio of league titles while earning three All-PSAA nods and a League MVP award. In all, she’s had a hand in 13 regular season and playoff championships, and her time is not yet finished. Athletes like Niamh don’t come around very often, so let’s enjoy the privilege of watching her compete as her time with the Bears rapidly winds down.
Yesterday’s 77-28 victory was also significant because it clinched at least a share of the regular season PSAA crown for the second straight year with two games to go. A win this afternoon vs. Avenues would clinch the outright league title. Supporting Scanlon’s 44 were McCrain (13 points), McCormick (7), Quinn Davey (5), Feldman (4), and Scarlett Davey (2).
Girls’ Basketball 1,000 Point Scorers
| Rebecca Fischer | 1999 |
| Kristyn Dunleavy | 2007 |
| Danielle Spiliotis | 2009 |
| Sadie Singer | 2010 |
| Brannon Burke | 2011 |
| Beth Felix | 2018 |
| Niamh Scanlon | 2023 |
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