BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Long Island University women's basketball team (17-8, 12-2 NEC) pulled away late from Saint Francis University to seal its sixth straight win, defeating the Red Flash 91-89 in Brooklyn on Thursday night. 

While Saint Francis scored the first points of the game on a basket with 8:27 remaining in the first quarter, LIU quickly responded with a made three-pointer by junior Janessa Williams to give the Sharks the lead, which they would not relinquish the rest of the game. LIU led 22-12 at the end of the first quarter, and 39-20 at halftime. 

The Sharks extended their lead to as many as 24 points early in the second half, and took a 55-42 lead into the fourth quarter. While the Red Flash managed to cut the lead to single digits with 7:06 remaining, a quick 10-0 Shark scoring run gave LIU its double-digit lead back, eventually claiming its final 15-point win. 

Williams finished the game with a career-high 29 points in the win, while senior Kadidia Toure scored 20 points. Toure led the Sharks with 11 rebounds, and now has an NEC-leading 10 double-doubles this winter, the 27th most in Division I. 

Junior Solangelei Akridge assisted on five made baskets, while she and freshman Camille Wiley tied for a team-high three steals. Freshman Leila Nuñez led LIU with a season-high three blocks. 

LIU returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the Sharks host Mercyhurst at 2 p.m. The LIU women's basketball team will be honoring the team's four seniors ahead of the game.