Box Score KINGSTON, R.I.— The Long Island University women's basketball team dropped a 79-56 decision to Rhode Island on Thursday evening at the Ryan Center to cap the opening week of the 2019-20 season. 

LIU was led offensively by a pair of sophomores in Brandy Thomas and Shyla Sanford. Thomas finished with a team-high 14 points and five boards. Sanford recorded a career-high 13 points along with four steals on the defensive end. Junior Jeydah Johnson contributed eight points and dished out a team-high four assists.

The opening quarter saw both teams trading baskets early, with the Sharks holding a 5-4 lead at the 7:42 mark on a three-pointer by Sanford. The Rams took advantage of a five-point run to jump back in front 10-5. The back-and-forth action continued before LIU earned a layup from junior Ella Vaatanen and a triple from Johnson to earn a 13-12 lead. URI strung together a six-point run to take back the lead at 17-13. LIU was there to answer with a four-point run on a three by Thomas and free throw from Sanford to tie it at 17-17. The Rams closed the quarter with five straight points for the 22-17 lead.

LIU made it a four-point game at 24-20 in the opening 30 seconds of the second quarter on a three-pointer by Thomas. URI gained control from there 14-2 run spanning just under four minutes for a 38-22 lead with 4:32 to go in the quarter. The strong shooting continued for the Rams in the quarter, taking a 48-27 lead into halftime.

After a free throw by sophomore Ryan Weise opened the scoring in the third quarter, URI would outscore the Sharks 15-3 over the next six minutes to take their widest lead of the night, 63-24.  Despite a strong fourth quarter by LIU as they outscored URI 18-12 in the period,  the Ram took the win, 79-56 in the home opener at the Ryan Center.

SHARK BITES

• LIU recorded 14 steals on 19 URI turnovers on the night.
• The Sharks also won the turnover margin 15 to 19, scoring 17 points off turnovers.
• Sanford recorded career-highs in points (13), made field goals (5) and steals (4).
• Thomas connected on a career-high three triples against the Rams. `
• Weise, junior Mia Perkins and sophomore Kiara Bell all grabbed four rebounds apiece.

UP NEXT

The Sharks return to downtown Brooklyn for a midweek matchup against Fairfield on Wednesday, November 13. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Steinberg Center.