ERIE, Pa. — The Long Island University women's basketball team (8-6, 3-0 NEC) had a hard-earned road win over Mercyhurst University on Thursday night, defeating the Lakers 86-81 on the road in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

LIU led 45-34 at halftime, and overcame a third-quarter Mercyhurst rally to defeat the Lakers. 

A three-pointer by graduate student Kionna Gaines gave the Sharks an early lead on their first possession of the game on Thursday night, through the Lakers later answered to take an 8-7 lead midway through the first quarter. A jumpshot by freshman Camille Wiley put the Sharks back up less than a minute later; a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game.  

Mercyhurst managed to cut the LIU lead to two points in both the third and fourth quarters, though the Sharks held on for their eventual four-point lead. 

Kadidia Toure led all scorers with 29 points on Thursday, a career-high for the LIU senior. Junior Janessa Williams had a season-high 17 points, while graduate student Hannah Humphrey (12 points) and Gaines (11) also finished in double figures.  

Toure collected 14 rebounds in the win, and led the Sharks with two blocks and two steals. Sophomore Laura Molnarova, Gaines, and Toure tied for a team-high two assists. 

LIU stays on the road on Saturday, facing off against Saint Francis University at 2 p.m.