Box Score

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Senior Ashley Palmer had a career-high 31 points to lead four Long Island University women's basketball players in double-figures as the Blackbirds (9-2) extended their winning streak to four with a 69-61 triumph over Cal Poly at the Wellness Center on Wednesday.

She'tiarra Pledger also set a new career mark with 12 points and added eight boards for LIU, who also improved to a perfect 6-0 on its home court this season. Senior Marika Sprow chipped in with 11 points and classmate Kiara Evans had 10.

Long Island took a different tact offensively than it had in the previous 10 games, going the long-distance route to take a 10-point lead at halftime. Palmer began the barrage with a three-ball from the left corner to cut into Cal Poly's early 7-2 lead at the 18:05 mark.

Sprow connected from deep to give the Blackbirds the lead at 8-7, and after two free throw from Kristina Santiago gave the Mustangs a three-point cushion, back-to-back trifectas from Pledger and Palmer put the score at 18-17 in favor of the home team.

Pledger, who knocked down all three of her attempts from deep in the first half, hit again from behind the arc with 11:31 to play in the opening stanza to push the LIU advantage to 21-17. At that point, Long Island had matched its previous season high for three-point makes with five in the first 8:29 of the game.

The Blackbirds weren't done, however, as Palmer hit her second three of the contest with 9:43 left in the period to extend the lead to 26-21. After a turnover by Cal Poly, Evans drove the lane and converted on a layup and pilfered a steal that led to another three-pointer from Pledger to bump the Long Island lead to double digits at 31-21.

All told, LIU hit eight of its 13 three-point attempts in the first half, pulled down 12 offensive rebounds and forced 11 turnovers while committing just four en route to a 42-32 cushion at the break. The Mustangs were led by former Big West Player of the Year Kristina Santiago, who nearly single-handedly kept her team in the game with 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the first 20 minutes of play.

Santiago scored the first three points of the second half to pull the Mustangs to within seven, before Sprow hit on her third trifecta of the contest to put the score at 45-35 with 18:05 remaining.

With the LIU lead still in double-figures midway through the period, Cal Poly went on a 12-4 run to get to within three at 58-55 with 4:51 to go. Kayla Griffin had four points in the spurt to get the Mustangs within striking distance.

But Long Island would respond, going to Palmer every time they needed a bucket. The 5-10 forward converted a conventional three-point play with 2:15 left and hit all four of her free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Palmer also added 10 rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes of play, while connecting on a career-best three three-pointers. Santiago closed with 29 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks while Griffin was the only other Cal Poly player to reach double figures with 10.

LIU looks for its fifth straight victory and to improve its mark to 7-0 at the Wellness Center on Monday, Dec. 19 against William & Mary at 7:00 p.m.