BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team dropped its Northeast Conference matchup against Fairleigh Dickinson, 69-52 on Saturday afternoon at the Steinberg Wellness Center.

Sophomore Tia Montagne led LIU in scoring with a career-high 15 points. Sophomore Jeydah Johnson contributed 13 points for the Blackbirds. Freshman Brandy Thomas tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The game opened with both team trading brief shots at the lead. FDU made the first run with a six-point swing to take a 11-7 lead with 4:01 to go. Johnson ended that stretch with a three-pointer as recorded seven points over the final four minutes as the score was gridlocked at 16-16 at the quarter break.

FDU struck first out of the break with a six-point opening run to jump ahead 22-16. LIU would sink free throws shortly after to break up that stretch as the quarter approached the media timeout. The Blackbirds were held scoreless from the field the rest of the way, converting five more times from the charity stripe as the visitors closed the quarter on a 13-5 run to take a 35-24 lead into the break

LIU opened the half with a 6-2 run start opening with a corner jumper from sophomore Tia Montagne and four points from Thomas to bring the score to 37-30 with 7:52 to go in the quarter. FDU was there to answer with a 6-2 stretch of its own to jump ahead 43-32 into the media timeout. The Knights would close the quarter on 12-3 run to take control of the game.

FDU would continue with an eight point run to start the fourth quarter building on its lead. LIU responded out of the media timeout, going on a 15-6 stretch over the final seven minutes of the game to bring the final to 69-52. LIU went 3-for-4 from downtown during that run.

NOTES FROM THE NEST
-  Montagne set a new career-high in points with 15 and made three pointers with three against the Knights.
- Thomas recorded her eighth double-double of the season, her first in NEC play. She ranks second in the conference in double-doubles.
- Johnson finished in double figures for the 10^th time this season with her 13 points.
- Freshman Tiya Misir tied her career-high with four assists.
- LIU drained a season-high 19 free throws in the game.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds are set to host the annual Battle of Brooklyn against St. Francis Brooklyn on Monday, January 21. The matchup is set to air on ESPN3 starting at noon.