ANN ARBOR, Mich.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell to the University of Michigan, 83-38 on Thursday night at the Crisler Center.
The opening period belonged to the high-powered Wolverines, as the Blackbirds were held scoreless from the field with 27-1 start from the Big 10 opposition. LIU woke up to start the second quarter as sophomore Tia Montagne hit a 15-foot jumper to start the strong period for the visitors. The Blackbirds battled as the quarter went on, with Michigan holding a 36-8 advantage into the media timeout just under the halfway point. LIU continued to fight outscoring Michigan 11-10 over the final 4:35 of the quarter with freshman Ryan Weise leading the way with four points in that stretch but it was the home team that held a 48-19 favor into the half.
Michigan held its pace out of the half, with a 7-0 run before the Blackbirds first basket at 6:21 from freshman Shyla Sanford. The Wolverines held onto a slight 15-11 stretch for the remainder of the quarter as sophomore Jeydah Johnson led LIU with five points in the frame. The home team continued to control the tempo in the fourth as the Blackbirds struggled to make shots, working to an eventual 83-38 final.
Johnson led LIU in scoring with nine points on the night and Sanford tallied a career-high six points and six rebounds for the Blackbirds.
Up next, the Blackbirds return to the Steinberg Center on Sunday, December 9 for a 2:00 p.m. matchup against NJIT. LIU will be holding a "Holiday Sweater" promotion for the game, fans with the most festive holiday sweaters will be eligible to win prizes.
NOTES FROM THE NEST
- Johnson led the Blackbirds in scoring for the fourth time this season, finishing with nine points.
- Sanford's six points and six rebounds are both new career-highs in just 22 minutes of action on the night.
- The Blackbirds defense held Michigan to an opponent low 16.7% from downtown.
- LIU was held to a season-low 24.1% from the field.