PHOENIX, Ariz.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team battled back with a tremendous fourth quarter to jump back in the game but was edged out by Grand Canyon University in overtime but the Antelopes sunk the three-pointer as clock expired for the 65-62 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Freshman Brandy Thomas was sensational yet again, adding her sixth straight double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for LIU. Sophomore Jeydah Johnson netted game-high 20 points for her second straight 20-point performance. Sophomore Tia Montagne added seven points and a team-high five assists. The Blackbirds outscored GCU 21-14 in the final period to get back in the game.
A back-and-fourth opening quarter saw both teams struggle to get going offensively. The home team caught heat late in the first which carried over into the second with an 11-0 run and 17-6 lead. The Blackbirds found their footing with a pair of layups from Johnson and Thomas along with a three from freshman Ryan Weise to cut the deficit to four at 17-13. LIU hung tight with the Antelopes as the period wore down, getting to within one twice but the home team took a 26-21 lead into the half.
GCU kept the Blackbirds at distance in the third quarter but LIU responded late as junior Seneca Richards knocked down a three-pointer in the final minute to take a 40-33 deficit into the fourth.
LIU came out the quarter break strong brushing off a GCU bucket in the opening seconds with a 9-0 run on baskets from Johnson, Thomas and Vaatanen to tie the game up at 42-42. Shortly after a driving layup from Montagne gave LIU its first lead since the opening quarter at 46-44. The Blackbirds continued to keep the slight edge as the period wore on eventually jumping ahead 54-41 with 33 seconds remaining on a three-pointer from Weise. But the home team answered with a triple of its own by Kavita Akula to force overtime at 54-54.
The Blackbirds jumped out first in the extra period on back-to-back layups from sophomore Ella Vaatanen to take a 58-54 lead. GCU stayed within striking distance as LIU held a four point advantage with 1:22 to go on a pull-up jump shot from Johnson for a 62-59 edge. The Antelopes tied the game up with 16 seconds remaining.
LIU was unable to answer out of the timeout as the Antelopes forced the turnover. GCU got the ball back with seven seconds remaining, missing on a layup attempt but the loose ball rebound trickled out the end line with one-point six seconds on the clock. Off the inbounds play, Laura Piera was open from the left side to hit the three to end the game.
Up next, LIU returns home for a matchup against UMass-Lowell on Thursday, November 29 for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
NOTES FROM THE NEST
- Johnson recorded 20-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
- Thomas as averaged 14 or more rebounds in the last three games.
- Montagne's five assists tied her career-high.
- LIU played in its first overtime contest since December 7, 2017.
- The Blackbirds out rebounded the opposition for the third straight game with a 39-36 advantage on the glass.