BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell to Central Connecticut State, 72-59 on Saturday afternoon.  Prior to the game, LIU honored senior Destoni Willock as part of Senior Day at the Steinberg Center.

Sophomore Jeydah Johnson and freshman Brandy Thomas led the Blackbirds in scoring with 18 points each. Thomas registered a game-high 15 rebounds for her 13^th double-double of the season. Freshman Tiya Misir dished out a team-high three assists for LIU.
 
After LIU picked up the game's opening bucket, it was CCSU that made the first charge. The Blue Devils used as 12-point run to jump ahead 12-2 with 4:47 to go in the period. The Blackbirds found their footing on the offensive end with an 8-4 stretch over the next two minutes paced by six points from sophomore Tia Montagne to bring the score to 16-10. The Blue Devils remained in control taking a 21-13 lead into the quarter break.

Both teams traded baskets to start the second quarter before a jumper by Johnson at 6:17 opened a seven-point run for the Blackbirds. Freshman Kiara Bell came off the bench for LIU with five straight points as her baseline jumper gave LIU the 26-25 lead at 4:46 in the quarter. The lead would go back-and-forth for the next minute of play before the Blue Devils used a 12-0 closing run to take the lead 40-29 at the half.

The lead continued to hold for the visiting team as the third quarter wore down. A knock down three-pointer from freshman Ryan Weise at 4:38 opened a 7-2 stretch for the Blackbirds. A pair of free throws from Thomas cut the deficit to 10 late in the quarter.

LIU continued to show late life in the start of the final quarter as Thomas made a jumper from the elbow to start a seven-point swing. A pair of free throws from Johnson at 6:12 in the quarter cut the deficit to 59-50. CCSU continued to hold the advantage as LIU tried to stop them on the offensive end. The Blackbirds would get tow within eight points at 64-56 with 3:34 to go on a jump shot from Thomas. The Blue Devils were able to close out the game at the free throw line to earn the 72-59 win.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

• Thomas her 13^th double-double of the season and sixth in NEC play. She currently ranks in the top-25 in the nation in double-doubles.
• Johnson has led the Blackbirds in scoring in each of the last four games and in 15 games on the year.
• Sophomore Ella Vaatanen registered a game-high two blocks and now leads the team with 26 on the year.
• LIU held the slight edge on the glass, out rebounding CCSU 39-38.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds welcome Bryant to the Steinberg Center to close out their home schedule on Monday, March 4 for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.