FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team was unable to combat the strong long range shooting from Sacred Heart on Monday night, falling 75-53 at the Pitt Center. The Pioneers hit 11 three-pointers to outpace the Blackbirds at the Pitt Center.

LIU recorded three scorers in double figures led by Brandy Thomas' 16 points. She also added a team-high nine rebounds in the near double-double effort. Sophomore Jeydah Johnson added 12 points and redshirt sophomore Erykah Russell finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for the Blackbirds.

The opening minutes went in the Blackbirds favor with two early buckets from Thomas and a floater in the paint by Johnson had LIU up 6-3. The Pioneers answered shortly after with a five-point run to tie things up before jumping ahead just under the halfway point with a 11-8 lead. LIU would get back to within one on a triple from Johnson with 4:06 to go but SHU closed the period on a 10-point run for a 24-13 lead at the quarter break.

LIU started off the second quarter with a jumper from the elbow from Russell to start a 7-3 stretch over the first four minutes to cut the deficit to single digits at 27-20.  The home team would close the quarter with a 13-8 favor late to take a 40-28 advantage into the half. Sophomore Tia Montagne recorded four of the Blackbirds during that stretch.

The Pioneers continued their strong shooting to open the second half with a 14-2 run to take the largest lead of the game at 54-30 just under the halfway point. LIU was held to 18.8% shooting in the period and the Pioneers shot 50% for the 60-40 lead into the final period.  LIU would shoot 60% from the field, with Thomas scoring six of her team-high 16 points in the period. The lead would hold for the home team, coming away with a 75-53 win to end the opening weekend of NEC play.

 UP NEXT

The Blackbirds return home to open a four-game homestand at the Steinberg Center beginning Saturday, January 12 as they host Saint Francis U at 2:00 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men's team.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

• Thomas finished in double figures scoring for the ninth time this season.
• Russell has corralled eight boards in back-to-back contests.
• The Blackbirds won the battle at the glass, out rebounding SHU 39-35 on the night.
• LIU also finished shooting above 90% from the free throw line, going 11-12 (91.7%).