EMMITSBURG, Md.— The Long Island University women's basketball team saw their 2019-20 season come to a close on Monday night in the Northeast Conference quarterfinals, as the #7 seeded Sharks fell to #2 seed Mount St. Mary's, 80-47. With the loss, LIU finishes the 2019-20 season with a 8-22 overall record, 7-11 in NEC play.
Sophomore
Kiara Bell led the Shark with 11 points, three blocks and three steals against the Mountaineers. Sophomore
Brandy Thomas recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
GAME BREAKDOWN
LIU started the game off strong with an early 5-2 advantage on an old fashioned three-point play from Bell and a layup by Thomas. The Sharks continued to hold the lead as the quarter wore on before the Mountaineers used a 11-point stretch for a 18-11 lead at the 1:10 mark in the first quarter. Bell recorded the closing basket of the opening quarter to cut the score to 18-13 into the second quarter.
The Mountaineers continued to hold the slight advantage in the opening minutes of the second quarter but began to slow down offensively. LIU closed out the first half on a 8-1 stretch with a jumper by junior
Zhané Williams in the final minute tying the game up at 25-25 at the half.
Mount St. Mary's came out the break strong, outscoring LIU 30-8 in the third quarter to take control of the game. The league leaders in field goal percentage shot 67.7% in the second half to take the matchup, 80-47.
SHARK BITES
- LIU doubled its win total from last season, including seven conference victories, returning to the NEC Tournament for the first time since 2017-18.
- Bell finished with double-figures for the 19th time this season, going 5-of-10 from the floor.
- Thomas recorded a double-double for the second straight game and the eighth time this season, recording 10 points and 14 rebounds.
- Sophomore Weise added nine points, all in the second half and tallied five boards and three assists for LIU.
- The Sharks out rebounded the Mountaineers, 47-36 with 23 boards coming on the offensive glass.
- Mount St. Mary's had six players finish in double figures in the win, as they advance to the NEC semifinals.