BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team will play one of its final two road contests of the regular season on Saturday when the Blackbirds take on Fairleigh Dickinson in North Jersey.
QUICK HITS
- LIU fell in last Saturday's "Battle of Brooklyn" matchup at St. Francis Brooklyn, losing the 25th iteration of the rivalry, 64-54. Freshman Jeydah Johnson led the Blackbirds with 15 points while graduate transfer Denisha Petty-Evans scored 14 points and senior DeAngelique Waithe added 10.
- With 11 assists and 11 turnovers against SFBK Saturday, LIU has had an assist tally equal or greater than its turnover amount in five games this year (4-1 in those games).
- A victory over FDU would give third-year head coach Stephanie Del Preore her first season of 10 wins while at LIU.
- Petty-Evans (15.2 ppg), freshman Jeydah Johnson (12.8 ppg), senior DeAngelique Waithe (8.7 rpg) and redshirt junior Drew Winter (5.1 apg) continue to pace the Blackbirds, with LIU sporting a top-5 conference performer in every category (Petty-Evans: 4th in scoring; Waithe: 3rd in rebounds; Winter: 2nd in assists).
- Waithe is the Blackbird whose numbers have jumped the most during NEC play. Her season averages (11.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg) improve to 15.0 ppg and 10.2 rpg against fellow league opponents.
- Winter also leads the conference in total assists (115) and assist to turnover ratio (1.5; tied).
- As a defensive unit, LIU ranks as one of the best in the NEC. The Blackbirds rank third in scoring defense (64.8), field goal defense (.401), and steals (9.5).
- Fairleigh Dickinson lost its last two games, both on the road, but won its last home contest (62-61 over Wagner) on February 12. The Knights came to Brooklyn and defeated the Blackbirds, 61-49, on January 29.
- The Knights are led by Amina Markovic (12.4 ppg), Lauren Francillon (5.8 rpg), and Natalie Zamora (2.3 apg).
NEXT UP
LIU ends the month on the road with a matchup against Sacred Heart on Monday, February 26 at 6 p.m. in Fairfield, Conn.