BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell to UMass Lowell 69-64 on Thursday evening. The Blackbirds had another valiant second half effort, outscoring the River Hawks 43-37 in the second half but were unable to capitalize late at the Steinberg Center.
LIU was paced by double-digit scoring from four players for the second time this season. Freshman Brandy Thomas netted her seventh consecutive double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds Sophomore Jeydah Johnson led the team with 16 points. Sophomore Tia Montagne tallied a career-high 13 points and freshman Ryan Weise recorded a career-high 11 points.
UMass Lowell used a strong opening quarter to take a 16-8 lead after 10 minutes of play. LIU was quick out of the quarter break as a fast break layup and deep triple both from Johnson cut the deficit to three at 16-13 with 7:46 to go in the second quarter. UMass Lowell used a 10-0 run shortly after to jump back to a 26-13 lead. Both team's traded triples in the final moments of the period as the River Hawks took a 32-21 lead into the half.
The lead would remain in double figures for the visiting team till 6:36 to go in the quarter as a triple from Montagne got LIU going on a 13-3 run over the next three minutes that was capped with a three-pointer from Weise to cut the deficit to 41-38. UMass Lowell continued to keep the slight edge, holding a 47-44 lead into the final period.
The Blackbirds kept up pace to start the final quarter, eventually stringing together a 8-2 run on a layup from Thomas and threes from Johnson and Weise to cut the lead down to one at 53-52 with 7:36 remaining. Back-and-forth play would ensue with the River Hawks hanging on to that slight lead. After the visitors built up a a 58-54 favor, a triple from junior Seneca Richards closed the gap to one with 4:46 to go. UMass Lowell would embark on a 9-2 run over the next four minutes to regain the slight margin, eventually coming away with a 69-64 win in the first meeting between both teams.
Up next, the Blackbirds travel to Big 10 opponent Michigan for a 7:00 p.m. start on Thursday, December 6. The action will air on Big Ten Network Plus.
Notes on The Nest
- Thomas continues to pace the nation in double-doubles with her seventh straight.
- Montagne finished with new career best of 13 points and tallied four assists on the night.
- Weise reached double figures for the first time in her young career with 11 points.
- Freshman Kiara Bell swatted away a career-high three shots. She also tied a career-high with nine boards in the game.
- LIU out rebounded its opponent for the fourth straight contest.
- The Blackbirds shot 40% from the field in the second half after shooting 26% in the opening half.