BROOKLYN, N.Y.—  The LIU women's basketball team returned home on Thursday when it welcomed NYC foe Manhattan.
 
The Sharks and Jaspers battled in the first quarter but Manhattan built up a bit of the lead in the second, going up 12 at halftime.
 
LIU started to build a bit of a comeback in the late third and early fourth quarters. Five straight points from Nigeria Harkless cut the Manhattan lead to two with seven minutes left in the game. Unfortunately for the Sharks, missed shots and turnovers would be their undoing as they fell 66-55.
 
Ashley Austin had another very nice game, scoring a team-high 21 points on 8-10 shooting while also leading LIU with eight assists.
 
Nigeria Harkless scored a season-high 16 points and added three rebounds
 
Amaya Dowdy led the team in rebounds with eight.
 
The Sharks will return to the court on Sunday Dec. 31 when they travel to take on NJIT at 1 p.m.