EMMITSBURG, Md.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team dropped its Northeast Conference matchup to Mount St. Mary's 61-45 on Saturday afternoon from Knott Arena.

The Blackbirds were led by sophomore Jeydah Johnson who finished with a team-high 14 points and six rebounds in the return to her home state. Freshman Ryan Weise contributed 11 points for LIU. Sophomore Tia Montagne added a team-high three assists to go along with three steals.

The contest started out with both teams taking shots at the lead with LIU responding out of the media timeout with a 6-1 swing on triples from Johnson and Weise to take the lead 9-8 at 4:51 in the quarter.  But the Mountaineers would capitalize on the Blackbirds foul trouble, connecting from the free throw line on a closing seven point run to take a 15-9 lead into the quarter break.

Momentum carried over for the home team into the second quarter, forcing an LIU timeout early. The Blackbirds would fine consistency on the offensive end as they embarked on a 10-2 run over the next 2:47 capped by back-to-back layups from Weise to make it 23-21 Mount with 2:58 to go in the quarter. The Mountaineers would take the last jab in the opening half with a 12-1 closing run sparked by a pair of threes for a 35-22 lead at the half.

After a Mount three to the second half the Blackbirds went on a 10-3 run, led by five points from Johnson to cut the deficit to nine at 41-32 with 3:25 to go in the frame. The Mountaineers would continue to keep the Blackbirds at bay as both teams traded points as the quarter wore on. LIU got a three from sophomore Ella Vaatanen in the final minute of the quarter to bring the score to 48-37.

Strong shooting continued for the home team in the final period with a 10-2 start in the fourth quarter before a triple from Weise broke things up at the 3:14 mark. The lead for Mount would hold for the remainder of the game, taking the matchup 61-45. The Mountaineers capitalized with 24 points off 19 LIU turnovers in the game.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

• Johnson finished in double figures for the third straight game. It is the ninth game this season she has led the Blackbirds in scoring.
• Weise added double-figures for the second straight game with 11 points on 4-9 shooting.
• Montagne also posted three steals in back-to-back games for LIU.
• The Mountaineers controlled the glass, out rebounding LIU 44-33.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds conclude the weekend with a trip up to CCSU on Monday, January 28 for a 7:00 p.m. start from Detrick Gymnasium.