BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Long Island University women's basketball team (4-1, 0-0 NEC) led earned a wire-to-wire win at home on Thursday night, defeating American University (1-3, 0-0 Patriot) 69-55 inside the Steinberg Wellness Center.  

The Sharks led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but American managed to cut that to a five-point LIU lead after the first 20 minutes. Following a back-and-forth third quarter, LIU outscored the Eagles 16-10 over the final 10 minutes of the game to earn its 14-point home victory. 

Senior Kadidia Toure led the Sharks with 16 points, followed by 15 from junior Janessa Williams and 11 by graduate student Kionna Gaines. Toure and Gaines tied for a team-high nine rebounds, while junior Solangelei Akridge assisted on a game-high seven baskets. 

LIU forced 17 turnovers in Thursday's win, which led to 23 Shark points. The Sharks also out-rebounded American 38-32, scored 28 points in the paint, and had 16 second-chance points. 

LIU returns to the court on Sunday, Nov. 30, in a road matchup against Fordham University.