ATHENS, Ohio —The LIU women's basketball team starts its season with a 74-67 win over Ohio University — the first season-opening win for the Sharks in ten years.

LIU started its scoring parade minutes into the opening frame, as the Sharks jumped out to an early 10 point lead.

Emaia O'Brien led the way with a game-high 19 points and finished with a team-high 32 minutes.

"Starting the season with a win is huge," said O'Brien, who scored 12 points from three-point range.

Ashley Austin also played a big role in the Sharks' road win. The junior scored 16 points, while Shyan Mwai helped out with 7 points.

"It was a total team effort tonight, Austin said, "Picking up your first win of the season on the road is never an easy thing to do and tonight we did just that."

The Sharks pulled away in the fourth quarter after taking a commanding 14 point lead — which eventually sealed the deal.

"We were good from the bench to the floor and that's exactly what we needed," said head coach Rene Haynes.

Haynes, an Ohio native, had the Convocation Center packed with family and friends, who had a front row seat to LIU's dominating road performance.

"Sometimes you can make the other gym your home and that's what we did tonight, said Haynes who hosted the team for a Sunday night dinner at her family's house in Columbus, Ohio.

LIU wraps up its two-game road trip against Illinois on Wednesday night.