BROOKLYN, N.Y. -  The LIU women's basketball team dropped the annual Battle of Brooklyn game to local foe St. Francis Brooklyn at home Thursday night, 66-53. The Terriers retained the title, and SFBK's Nevena Dimitrijevic was named the 2021 Battle of Brooklyn MVP.
 
SHARK BITES

• The first quarter was close to start, as the two teams would be tied twice, including 7-7 with 3:09 to play, but the Terriers would close the quarter on an 8-2 spree, and lead 15-9 after one.
• In the second period, SFBK widened the lead up to 20-11, but the Sharks started to make a comeback. Mia Perkins would drive a 9-3 run for LIU, scoring six straight points to help her team close the gap to 23-20. With help from Ryan Weise, Brandy Thomas and Kiara Bell, LIU would close out the first half on a strong note, training SFBK by just five at the break, 30-25.
• The third quarter saw the Terriers go on a 13-3 scoring spree, as LIU struggled to make shots from the field. The run gave the visiting team a 43-28 advantage with 2:17 to play.
• That run would prove to be the difference late in the game. In the fourth quarter, the two teams were nearly identical points-wise, as SFBK scored 21 in the fourth quarter to LIU's 20. The Sharks kept momentum going until the final whistle, but couldn't overcome SFBK's defense, as the Terriers took the win.
• Junior Brandy Thomas led LIU with 13 points and seven rebounds, along with three assists and two steals.
• Mia Perkins had 12 points (on 4-of-8 shooting), along with a team-high nine rebounds and a steal.
• Freshman Zoee Hache chipped in nine points and five assists. Five other Sharks contributed offensively for LIU in the loss.
• Up next, LIU has a brief break before they ramp up NEC action once more in Hackensack, New Jersey. The Sharks will face FDU on Thursday, February 4 and Friday February 5.