Box Score
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MOON TOWNSHIP, PA. – The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell to the top team in the Northeast Conference Monday, as Robert Morris beat the Blackbirds in Sewall Arena, 79-43. With the loss, LIU sits at 7-18 overall, 5-9 in NEC play, while RMU improves to 16-9 overall and 12-2 in conference action.
The game started on an even keel, with the two teams trading baskets early on. LIU had its only lead of the game at the 12:37 mark, when senior Cleandra Roberts hit a layup to make it 8-6, Blackbirds. But Robert Morris caught fire, and went on a 10-0 run over two minutes, to take a 16-8 lead. Junior Letava Whippy hit a layup to cut the lead to six, but RMU would widen the lead to 22-12 with a layup by senior Artemis Spanou at 7:38. Over the final five minutes of the half, the Colonials would outscore the Blackbirds, 12-4, taking a 34-20 lead into the break.
The home team continued the run in the second stanza, opening the period with a 6-0 run to widen the lead to 20 points, 40-20. Robert Morris would continue to dominate the Blackbirds, as LIU struggled with making shots, shooting 32 percent from the field. The Blackbirds were also outplayed on the boards, as Robert Morris out-rebounded LIU, 46-22.
The Blackbirds had a bright spot towards the midpoint of the second half, when freshman Brianna Ferris came off the bench to hit back-to-back three pointers at 5:42, in a one-woman 6-0 run that cut the lead to 17, 60-43. But they were the last six points LIU would score. Robert Morris closed the game on a 19-0 run, in a five minute span where the Colonials did not miss a single shot, from the field, three-point range or free throw line. The run increased the differential to what would be the final score, 79-43.
Sophomore Sophie Bhasin led LIU with eight points, while freshmen Aleisha Myers and Brianna Farris would add seven and six points, respectively. RMU senior Artemis Spanou led all players, with 18 rebounds, along with 14 points. The Colonials had four players score in double-digits in the win.
Up next, the Blackbirds return home to the Steinberg Wellness Center for the final two home games of the season. LIU will host Wagner, Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m.