BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The Long Island University women's basketball team opened the 2019-20 season with a 89-74 loss to Saint Peter's at the Steinberg Wellness Center on Thursday evening.

LIU's offense featured four scorers in double figures in the opening contest. Sophomore Brandy Thomas picked up right where she left off after a ECAC/NEC Rookie of the Year campaign. The Baldwin, N.Y. native tallied her first double-double of the season with a team-high 19 points and game-high 16 rebounds. Junior Jeydah Johnson registered 16 points for the Sharks.

Junior Mia Perkins recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in her first game  in a LIU uniform. Sophomore Kiara Bell also finished in double figures with 11 points. Sophomore Ryan Weise dished out a team-high five assists to go with a pair of three-point field goals.

The Peacocks came out strong in the opening minutes with a 10-2 lead early. A triple from the top of the key by sophomore Tiya Misir at the 6:37 mark cut into the Saint Peter's run. The lead would hold as the quarter wore on. LIU found its groove offensively in the closing minutes of the quarter with an 8-3 run. A three-pointer at the buzzer by Johnson brought the score to 21-15 in favor of the Peacocks after the opening stanza.

LIU carried the momentum of the three pointer to end the first quarter with baskets by Perkins and Misir to cut the deficit to 21-19 early in the second quarter. A quick five-point spurt by the Peacocks just before the halfway point in the period pushed the lead back to seven. Both teams traded baskets in the later minutes of the second period before a free throw from Perkins capped the scoring in the opening half with a 38-27, Saint Peter's lead.

The third quarter began with both teams trading baskets in the first minute. Saint Peter's created some separation with a seven point run to the halfway point of the quarter to go up 48-33. The Peacocks kept their distance as the quarter wore on. LIU got another triple from Johnson to bring the score to 61-46 as the game headed to the final period.

Saint Peter's began the final period with a five-point run to cushion the lead. The Sharks slowly chipped away at the deficit, as a pair of free throws from Misir along with layups from Johnson and sophomore Shyla Sanford brought the score to 73-60 at the 5:35 mark. The Peacocks continued to keep advantage from there to come away with the 89-74 win.

SHARK BITES

• Thomas recorded a double-double in her first game of the season. She has tallied five straight double-doubles dating back to last season.
• Perkins notched a double-double in her first action in downtown Brooklyn. She picked up seven double-doubles a season ago at Angelina College (NJCAA).
• LIU controlled the battle at the glass against the Peacocks with a 57-49 advantage in the rebounding battle.
• The Sharks swatted away seven shots on the night with seven different players tallying a block.

UP NEXT

The Sharks continue the opening week with their first road contest of the season. LIU travels to the University of Rhode Island on Thursday, November 7 for a 7:00 p.m. contest at the Ryan Center.