Box Score
Brooklyn, N.Y. - A strong scoring surge in the first half launched the Long Island University women's basketball to a 71-56 victory over McNeese State in the opening game of the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic. The Blackbirds overcame an early deficit en route to a double-digit win guided by an impressive output from junior Ashley Palmer, who turned in a double-double with a game-high 18 points.
Long Island (3-1) trailed by seven points midway through the first half before sophomore Krystal Wells hit a long two-point basket to ignite a 13-0 run. Wells scored the Blackbirds' next bucket, a three-pointer, before finding senior Chelsi Johnson in the lane on an inbound lob pass for an easy basket.
On Long Island's next trip down the court, Palmer was fed the ball on the block but quickly turned and dished the orb to Johnson at the elbow for a jumper that tied the score 19-19. The Blackbirds' next possession ended in a similar fashion, with Palmer once again handing out an assist out of the post. This time, the 5-foot-10 forward deftly passed across the lane to a cutting She'tiarra Pledger for a layup.
After Palmer coolly drained a jumper in the lane off an inbound pass from junior Kiara Evans to cap the 13-0 spurt, Long Island led 25-19. The Blackbirds were not done there. McNeese State (2-3) attempted to quell the run with a jumper by Martika Hull, but Long Island would score 11 of the next 14 points to take a 36-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. All told, the Blackbirds utilized a 24-5 run over the final 11 minutes of the frame to take control of the contest.
The Long Island lead would swell to as many as 23 in the second half and the Cowgirls would not get closer than 15 the rest of the way.
Palmer recorded her 22nd career double-double with a season-high 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. She tied a career high with five assists and pilfered a season-best three steals. After missing the first three games with an injury, Evans came off the bench to contribute nine points. Johnson finished with nine points and eight boards and Wells closed with a career-high nine points. Junior Marika Sprow collected a career-best seven caroms.
Long Island shot 41 percent from the floor and won the battle of the boards by a decisive 54-33 margin. McNeese State shot 31 percent and was led by 13 points from Caitlyn Bagget and nine points and nine rebounds from Kiara Johnson.
The Blackbirds advance to the championship game of the Turkey Classic against Boston University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.