NEW BRITAIN, CONN. – The LIU women's basketball earned its first win of the conference season on the road Saturday,  beating Central Connecticut State, 62-51. Senior Brandy Thomas poured in a season-high 21 points to the lead the Sharks, along with eight rebounds and five assists. Freshman guard Emaia O'Brien was also in double digits, scoring 11 points. 
 
SHARK BITES

• LIU led 15-14 after the first quarter, capitalized by four straight points by senior Kiara Bell to end the frame.
• The Sharks had a 10-point lead at halftime, 33-23, with Thomas leading the way with 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting and three three-pointers.
• LIU began the third quarter with Thomas knocking down a three and a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 15, the largest of the contest.
• Thomas reached 20 points at the four-minute mark in the third quarter. 
• O'Brien scored the last points of the third for LIU by drilling a three-pointer with 1:10 left to head to the fourth with the lead at 11. 
• In a low-scoring fourth quarter, the Sharks were able to maintain the lead throughout despite a late push by the Blue Devils.
• LIU dominated the glass with a 53-29 rebound advantage.
• The Sharks led multiple stat categories, including assists, points off turnovers, bench points, second-chance points, and points in the paint. 
• CCSU led 14-13 with 1:06 left in the first, but after going up 15-14 to end the quarter, the Sharks did not trail for the rest of the contest.
• This win against the Blue Devils makes it three straight regular season victories for LIU against CCSU.
• Up next, the Sharks face St. Francis Brooklyn on Monday, January 17 at home.