BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Long Island University women's basketball team (16-8, 11-2 NEC) came out on top of a back-and-forth contest with the University of New Haven on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Chargers 78-74 in overtime.  

LIU opened Saturday's game with an early 5-0 lead, aided by a three-point play by graduate student Hannah Humphrey, but the Chargers responded to take over the lead, holding a 16-13 advantage over the Sharks after the first quarter. 

While the Sharks got within one point on four separate occasions in the second quarter, New Haven held on for a narrow 30-29 lead going into halftime. 

The Sharks took their first lead since the first quarter on a made basket by junior Solangelei Akridge just under a minute into the second half, with three more lead changes occurring over the next five minutes. Back-to-back baskets by senior Kadidia Toure put the Sharks back on top, as LIU extended its lead to 51-47 heading into the fourth quarter. 

LIU maintained a steady one possession lead through the first six minutes of Saturday's fourth quarter, late shots by the Chargers tied the game at 67 after a full 40 minutes, forcing overtime. 

LIU's first four points of overtime came via the free throw line, but a made three-pointer by Akridge put the Sharks up 76-72 with 59 seconds left on the clock. Late free throws by Akridge helped seal the win, as LIU claimed its four-point overtime win. 

Toure stuffed the stat sheet on Saturday, recording game-highs in points (26), rebounds (18), assists (six), and blocks (5). Her 18 rebounds is a new career high, surpassing her 17-rebound game at Stonehill last Saturday, while her 26 points is tied for the third-most in a game in her career.  

Junior Janessa Williams and Akridge each finished in double figures, scoring 17 points apiece. Williams collected 11 rebounds to record her third double-double of the season. 

LIU returns to the court on Thursday, Feb. 19, when it hosts Saint Francis University at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn.