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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team opens the 2014-15 season with a road trip to Maine for a Sunday matinee. The Blackbirds will tangle with the Black Bears at the Cross Insurance Center in Orono beginning at 1:00 p.m.
LOOKING BACK TO LAST SEASON
The Blackbirds finished the season 9-21 overall, and 7-11 in the Northeast Conference. LIU qualified for the Northeast Conference tournament as the eight seed before falling in the first round to eventual champions Robert Morris. LIU was picked to finished eighth in the preseason coaches' poll, but the Blackbirds have every intention of challenging that pick.
LIU will be led by co-captains Letava Whippy and Shanovia Dove. Whippy is the team's only returning starter, and will provide valuable leadership for the team. Last year she averaged 30 minutes per game along with 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. She also led the team in steals, with 59, and was second on the team in assists, with 69. Dove, a sophomore, played in 28 of LIU's 30 games coming off the bench, and head coach Gail Strieger will be looking for continue to progress this year.
Three other upperclassmen return for the Blackbirds, and will be looked to for leadership. Junior Sophie Bhasin is the top returning scorer, as she averaged 10.6 points per game last year, and senior Ashley Brown and junior Jahmia Phillips will bolster the team at the guard and forward positions. Sophomores Brianna Farris, Mercedes Harris and Demi Tomlinson all return for the Blackbirds as well.
The returnees have been joined this year by seven newcomers, including three junior college transfers. Junior Jolanna Ford will be a valuable addition to the forwards, while the guards will get some added experience from juniors Shanice Vaughan and Angelia Allen. Four true freshman also join the group: point guard Paris Jones, guard Drew Winter and forwards Angel Waithe and Stylz Sanders.
For quotes from Coach Striegler and senior Letava Whippy, check out the video season preview here.
SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS
Maine opened the season with a 65-52 loss at Bryant on Friday evening. Sigi Kolzar scored a team-high 16 points for the Black Bears. Maine was selected to finish fifth in this year's America East preseason coaches poll and return three of their top five scorers from a year ago in Liz Wood (12.6), Lauren Bodine (7.4) and Sophie Weckstrom (5.5). Bodine is Maine's long-range threat as she led the league in 3-point FG percentage a year ago (40.5) and ranked second in 3-point makes (66). Wood had 11 points on Friday against the Bulldogs.
Maine is 20-8 all-time against members of the Northeast Conference. The Black Bears went 2-1 last season against the NEC, defeating Bryant and LIU before dropping a one-point decision at Sacred Heart.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will return home for their home opener. LIU will take on former NEC foe Monmouth, Thursday, November 20 at 7 p.m. in the Steinberg Wellness Center.