STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The LIU women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season on the road Tuesday, taking on Penn State. The Sharks hung tough with the Nittany Lions, but fell 85-66 in the end.
 
SHARK BITES

• Penn State's lead started in the first period. The home team won the first stanza, 23-14, which proved to be the biggest difference of the night. Over the next three periods, LIU was within five points of the Big Ten in each period, including 18-16 in the second.
• Turnovers cost the Sharks, as Penn State scored 18 of its points, including eight in the first quarter, off turnovers. PSU had 13 steals as a team in the win.
• The Sharks out-rebounded the Nittany Lions 41-35.
• LIU showed offensive promise, as the Sharks shot 50 percent from the field in the second quarter, and 56.25 percent from the field in the fourth quarter.
• Senior Kiara Bell led the Sharks with a double double, notching 14 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and a steal.
• Senior Erykah Russell had 15 points in 30 minutes of play, along with five rebounds.
• Freshman Emaia O'Brien scored in double digits in her LIU debut, with 11 points, while classmate Tayra Eke had six points, three rebounds and three blocks on defense.
• Sophomore Zoee Hache had five assists and six rebounds for the Sharks.
• Up next, the Sharks return to the Keystone State next week, taking on the University oof Pittsburg, Wednesday, November 17 at 7 p.m.