NEW BRITAIN, Conn.— The Long Island University women's basketball team had its two-game winning streak snapped on Monday night, falling to CCSU, 71-57 at Detrick Gymnasium. The Sharks were unable to combat a strong final quarter by the Blue Devils to drop to 8-20 on the season and 7-10 in Northeast Conference play.

Junior Jeydah Johnson led the Sharks with 13 points on the night. Sophomore Kiara Bell finished just shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Shyla Sanford added 10 points for LIU.

GAME BREAKDOWN

After both teams exchanged baskets to open the game, LIU used a 6-2 run paced by four points from Johnson to take an 8-4 advantage at the 5:14 mark in the quarter. CCSU would cut the deficit down to one at 10-9 with 3:42 to go in the first. The Sharks then utilized a 6-0 run on four made free throws from Johnson and a layup by Sanford for a 16-9 lead at the 1:42 mark. CCSU cut into the deficit with the final two baskets of the quarter to bring the score to 16-13.

LIU continued to hold the slight lead to open the second quarter before the Blue Devils embarked on a 10-point run to take a 10-point run for a 26-22 lead at the 5:00 mark. CCSU held the lead for the remainder of the quarter but the Sharks used a 7-2 closing stretch led by a three-pointer from junior Zhané Williams to cut the deficit to 35-34 at the half.

The Sharks responded strong out of the half as Sanford tallied the first two baskets in the third to reclaim a 38-35 lead at 8:59 in the quarter. CCSU responded shortly after with a five-point run to take a 45-40 lead at the 5:15 mark. LIU used a 4-1 stretch on buckets by Johnson and sophomore Tiya Misir to tie the game up at 46-46 with 3:53 to go in the quarter. The Blue Devils netted back to back baskets to take back the lead but the Sharks closed out the frame with five points from Bell to take a 51-50 lead into the fourth.

CCSU opened the final quarter with four straight points to take a 54-51 lead at the 7:08 mark. LIU would stay within three points on a corner triple from Williams at 5:13 to go, putting the score at 58-55. Momentum for the final five minutes was all CCSU, closing the game on a 13-2 run to earn the 71-57 win and split the season series with LIU.

SHARK BITES

• Johnson finished in double figures for the second straight game and the 16th time this season with 13 points.
• Bell recorded her 16th game in double-digits against the Blue Devils with 12 points. She led the team in rebounding for the 14th time this season and for the sixth straight game.
• Sanford posted her second consecutive game in double figures on Monday night with 10 points.
• Thomas added nine boards for the Sharks.
• Sophomore Ryan Weise led the team with three assists.
• CCSU held the slight advantage on the glass out rebounding LIU, 41-39.

UP NEXT
LIU closes out the 2019-20 regular season on Thursday, March 5 at Sacred Heart. Tip-off between the Sharks and Pioneers is slated for 11:00 a.m. in part of Kids Day at the Pitt Center.