BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team opens 2018 with its first NEC road matchup of the season as the Blackbirds take on Robert Morris in Pittsburgh.
QUICK HITS
- LIU opened NEC play and closed 2017 with a 61-59 home victory over St. Francis Brooklyn on December 29. Senior DeAngelique Waithe set career-highs in points (19), rebounds (15) and steals (four) and matched career marks in blocks and assists (3 each) against the Terriers. Her double-double was the second of the season and third of her career. Freshman Jeydah Johnson and graduate transfer Denisha Petty-Evans combined for 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals.
- LIU set a new team-high in shooting percentage (.462) against St. Francis Brooklyn while taking its second fewest shot attempts of the season (52).
- A victory over Robert Morris would give the Blackbirds its first 2-0 start in NEC play since doing so in 2015-16.
- Petty-Evans (15.8 ppg), Johnson (13.8 ppg), Waithe (8.0 rpg) and redshirt junior Drew Winter (4.8 apg) continue to pace the Blackbirds, with LIU sporting a top-3 conference performer in each category (Petty-Evans: 3rd; Waithe: 3rd; Winter: T-1st).
- Robert Morris is one of three NEC teams to open conference with a pair of victories, leads the NEC with nine wins and had won five of six games prior to league action.
- The Colonials are led by Nneka Ezeigbo (11.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Honoka Ikematsu (2.8 apg).
- LIU trails RMU 16-46 in the all-time series and a win Saturday - its first since January 24, 2011 - would break an 11-game losing streak to the Colonials.
NEXT UP
LIU will remain in Pennsylvania to take on Saint Francis U. on Monday, January 8 at 6 p.m. in Loretto.