BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn basketball team fell to McNeese State in the opening matchup of the 2013 LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic, 71-57. The Cowgirls shot 52 percent from the field in the matchup and led wire-to-wire, as the Blackbirds were led by senior Courtney Sullivan's career-high 16 points.

McNeese went up 5-0 on LIU before the Blackbirds were able to get on the board. Sophomore Sophie Bhasin scored LIU's first points, a there at 17:31, to make it 5-3 in favor of the Cowgirls. From there, however, the Blackbirds struggled to score, as the team shot 2-for-17 from the field in the first 10 minutes of play. McNeese continued to widen the lead, going up by as many as 24 points in the first half, and taking a 39-17 lead into the break.

Heading into the second half, LIU started to string together a more consistent offense. After senior Fanny Cavallo converted a tradition three-point play at 17:27 to make it 41-21, Bhasin had a steal and senior Cleandra Roberts made the fast break layup to cut the lead to 18, with 16:53 left in the half.

LIU continued to produce on offense, including an 11-2 run over three minutes. Senior Courtney Sullivan started the run for the Blackbirds with a three pointer at 15:57. Cavallo added a layup at 14:40, and freshman Aleisha Myers had a trey at 13:52. Sullivan cut the lead to 13 points, with a three pointer at 13:03, 47-34.

McNeese answered with an 11-0 run to go up, 65-41 once more. But the Blackbirds ended the game on an 11-2 run, including layups from freshman Brianna Farris and senior Genise Presley, and another three-pointer from Sullivan. The run cut the lead to 14 points, but it would be too little too late for the Blackbirds, as they fell to McNeese, 71-57.

LIU will face off against Southern Utah game in the consolation of the 2013 Turkey Classic, tipping off at 2 p.m. Georgia Tech and McNeese State will play for the championship at 4:30 p.m. 

NOTES

The Blackbirds out rebounded the Cowgirls, 42-32, including 24 offensive rebounds… Sullivan went 4-for-9 from behind the arc… McNeese went 11-for-14 from the free throw line in the second half… the Cowgirls had three players score in double figures, including Allison Baggett (20), Cecilia Okoye (16) and Victoria Rachal… McNeese shot 52 percent from the field… LIU had 24 second chance points on 24 offensive rebounds… McNeese outscored LIU in the paint, 34-26.