STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Long Island University women's basketball team (19-10, 14-4 NEC) capped off the regular season with a road matchup against Wagner College on Thursday night, defeating the Seahawks 79-71.
With Wagner holding a 18-17 lead late in the first quarter, a solo 5-0 scoring run by graduate student Hannah Humphrey, who connected on a three-pointer and made two free throws on a later possession, gave the Sharks a 22-18 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
LIU opened the second quarter with a 9-2 scoring in less than three minutes, capped off by a jumpshot by graduate student Kionna Gaines. Maintaining a double-digit lead through the remainder of the first half, the Sharks held a 40-28 lead over the Seahawks at halftime.
The Sharks extended their lead to as many as 24 points to begin the second half, mounting a 16-4 scoring run over the first six minutes of the third quarter. Wagner fought back over the fourth quarter, but were unable to overtime a strong LIU lead, as the Sharks claimed an eight-point road win in the regular season finale.
Senior Kadidia Toure led LIU with 20 points, while Gaines (16), Humphrey (14), and junior Solangelei Akridge (12) all netted double-digit points. Gaines led the Sharks in rebounds (10) and steals (three), and tied with Akridge for a team-high three assists in the win.
LIU closes the regular season with a 19-10 overall record, and a 14-4 mark in conference play. The Sharks placed third in the NEC standings, after entering the season selected to finish eighth in the NEC Preseason Poll.
The Sharks will be the No. 3 seed in next week's NEC Women's Basketball Tournament, hosting No. 6 seed Chicago State University on Monday, March 9. Purchase tickets HERE.
