Blackbirds Post 67-60 Triumph Over CCSU

(boxscore)

Long Island University ended a two game slide, defeating Central Connecticut State, 67-60, on Saturday afternoon at Schwartz Center.

Three Blackbirds netted double-figures, including junior Marquita Thompson (Garland, Texas) with 14 points and eight rebounds. Senior Amber Wirth (Hastings, Minn.) chimed in with 14 points, followed by sophomore Mikaelar Whippy (Suva, Fiji) who added 10.

LIU (3-8, 1-1 NEC) led 8-5 courtesy of a 3-pointer by Lana Kershaw (Hamilton, New Zealand) in the opening four minutes. CCSU’s Gabriella Guebelet cut Long Island’s advantage to one with an uncontested lay-up with 11:06 on the clock, however, Thompson sparked a 9-3 LIU run to push the Blackbirds to a 23-16 advantage. LIU led, 31-29 at the break, shooting a sizzling 71.4 percent from behind the arc.

Guebelet nailed two free throws to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the day, 37-35 with 16:11 showing. The CCSU lead would not last as Thompson converted an old-fashioned 3-point play, pushing the Blackbirds up 42-39 and triggering a 10-1 run.

With just under five minutes remaining, junior Sara Oblak (Skofja Loka, Slovenia) sank two from the stripe to hand LIU a 17- point edge, its largest lead of the game (63-46). The Blackbirds never looked back, capturing the 67-60 victory and extending their win streak to four over Central Connecticut.

The Blue Devils (3-9, 0-2 NEC) were led by Guegebelet with 22 points. Kim Boone and Samantha Williams scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The Blackbirds welcome Mount St. Mary’s to the Schwartz Center on Monday, Jan.9. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.