Box Score
Brooklyn, N.Y. - The Long Island University women’s basketball team used a commanding first-half run to earn a 66-39 win at St. Francis (N.Y.) and regain the Battle of Brooklyn crown. Junior
Chelsi Johnson scored 20 points, including a troika of treys, en route to being named the Battle of Brooklyn Most Valuable Player.
After the game got off to a snail’s pace, the Blackbird offense finally awakened when senior
Connie James hit a fast-break layup to ignite an 18-4 run. Johnson followed with a three-pointer and classmate
Justine Stevenson made a spin move in the paint and converted a floater. After Johnson struck again from deep for Long Island’s 10th straight point, the Blackbirds led 21-9.
After a pair of Terrier baskets, Johnson made a layup and St. Francis proceeded to send Long Island to the line. The Blackbirds scored their next three points at the charity stripe but it was not a pretty sight. All told, Long Island shot 5-for-17 in the first half as the Terriers were whistled for 13 fouls. By the time Johnson sank her third trifecta to cap the scoring outburst, the Blackbirds were leading 29-13. All 12 of Johnson’s first-half points came during the 18-4 streak.
Long Island took a 34-19 lead into the locker room at halftime and never looked back. The Blackbirds would see their advantage grow to as many as 33 points in the second half. St. Francis did not threaten after that point.
Johnson added nine rebounds to her game-high 20 points. Sophomore
Ashley Palmer chipped in 14 points. Jacinda Williams led the Terriers with eight points.
The Blackbirds bring the Battle of Brooklyn crown back home after St. Francis captured the last meeting last season. In the 17 years of the neighborhood clash, Long Island has won 10 times.
Sophomore
Kiara Evans handed out five assists, giving her 153 for the season. She needs just three more to tie Mary Lucas for the Long Island single-season record of 156, set during the 1984-85 campaign.
The Blackbirds improved to 13-9 (7-4 Northeast Conference) while St. Francis dropped its 14th straight to fall to 1-21 (0-11).
Long Island will turn around and host the Terriers on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 1:00 p.m.