BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team threatened league-leading Robert Morris until the last possession in the Steinberg Wellness Center Monday night, but saw the Colonials take the win in the final minutes of the game, 52-49. With the loss, LIU is now 4-11 overall, 2-2 in the Northeast Conference, while RMU improves to 10-5 overall, and 4-0 in NEC play.

LIU got on the board first in the Monday night match-up, on a three pointer from senior Shanice Vaughan at 7:19. But the 3-1 lead was the only time that the Blackbirds had the advantage. RMU would tie it up just 20 seconds later with a layup, and that sparked a 17-3 run that would last nearly ten minutes. At the end of the first quarter, Robert Morris led, 14-6, and continued the run into the second quarter, eventually going up 18-6.

LIU started to show signs of life midway through the second quarter. Senior Jolanna Ford had a layup, and sophomore Paris Jones, junior Shanovia Dove and Vaughan all hit jumpers in a two minute span to cut the gap down to 20-14. The Colonials answered LIU's run by scored eight straight points to take their widest lead of the game, 28-14 with 1:28 left in the half.

The Blackbirds started to turn up the heat in the second half. Dove opened the period with a quick three pointer, and from there, LIU was able to keep pace with the Colonials. Midway through the period, Jones and Vaughan would combine to score seven unanswered points for the Blackbirds, cutting the lead down to just one point, 34-33 with 2:41 on the clock. An 8-0 run by the Colonials would widen the lead back up to 42-33 just a minute later, but LIU stayed in the game from there.

The fourth quarter saw LIU continued to make headway against the visitors. Dove hit a three pointer at 6:54 to cut the lead down to five points, and sophomore DeAngelique Waithe hit four straight free throws to help the Blackbirds get back within one point, 45-44 with 5:15 to play. In the final five minutes of the game, Robert Morris was able to outscore the Blackbirds just enough to take the win. Robert Morris guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou had two layups and two free throws to help put her team ahead for good. Junior Brianna Farris would hit a three-pointer as the clock expired, cutting the lead in the final seconds down to 52-49, in favor of the Colonials.

Up next, the Blackbirds play on the road, heading north to take on Bryant, Saturday, January 16, before returning to New York City to take on cross-borough rival Wagner, Monday, January 18.

NOTES FROM THE NEST
- Sophomore Paris Jones led LIU with 13 points and a career-high six rebounds.
- Senior Shanice Vaughan added 12 points, six assists, and three steals.
- Junior Shanovia Dove came close to a double-double, with 10 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore DeAngelique Waithe had 10 rebounds and seven points.