BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The Long Island University women's basketball team notched their first victory under head coach Rene Haynes Saturday afternoon, as the Sharks put together a decisive 85-46 win over Hofstra at the Steinberg Wellness Center.

LIU shot 47.8% from the field in the win and had four players finish in double figures. Sophomore Brandy Thomas led the way with a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Sophomore Shyla Sanford contributed 12 points and juniors Jeydah Johnson and Mia Perkins added 11 points apiece.

GAME BREAKDOWN

It was a tightly contested opening quarter between the two local schools as the lead exchanged hands seven times in the period. Hofstra used a four-point swing to create some separation before LIU got a last second layup from Perkins to take a one point deficit into the second quarter, 16-15.

After a basket by the Pride started the second quarter, LIU grabbed hold of the lead with a seven-point run as an old fashioned three-point play from sophomore Kiara Bell brought the score to 22-18, with 6:28 to go in the quarter. Hofstra would keep the deficit to within three over the next few minutes before the Sharks closed the second quarter on a 10-5 advantage for the 34-26 lead at the half.

Hofstra looked to respond out of the break with a bucket in the opening minute of the third period. LIU controlled the rest of the quarter, outscoring the Pride 22-5 over the final eight and a half minutes of the period. The Sharks shot 60% from the floor during that stretch led by sophomore Ryan Weise, who connected from downtown three times during the run.

LIU continued to shoot lights out in the final period, recording a 66.7% clip from the floor and hitting all three of their attempts from downtown in the period. Thomas led the charge in the final period, recording 12 points in the quarter. Junior Ella Vaatanen and Perkins also added five points each as the Sharks outscored Hofstra, 29-13 in the fourth quarter to cruise to the 85-46 victory.

SHARK BITES

• All eight players in the LIU rotation scored four or more points in the victory.
• Thomas recorded her second double-double of the season finishing with 222 points and 13 rebounds.
• Sanford finished one-point shy of her career-high with 12 points. She also added five rebounds and three assists.
• Perkins recorded her second straight game with 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds on the day.
• The Sharks dished out a season-high 24 assists against Hofstra, Weise and junior Zhané Williams both tallied a game-high six assists.
• LIU controlled the rebounding battle over the Pride, 48-40.
• The Sharks' defense finished with double-digit steals for the second straight game, finishing with 10. Thomas and Weise led the way with three steals apiece.

UP NEXT

The Sharks open the month of December with back-to-back road games next week. First up for LIU is a trip to Army West Point on Wednesday, December 4 for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.