Blackbirds Fall in Overtime, 66-62, to N.Y. Gazelles

(boxscore)

12/21/05 -- Long Island University dropped a 66-62 overtime decision to the N.Y. Gazelles in a women’s basketball collegiate exhibition on Wednesday evening at the Schwartz Center.

Senior Amber Wirth (Hastings, Minn.) led the Blackbirds with 14 points, including a team-high three 3-pointers. Junior Sara Oblak (Skofja Loka, Slovenia) added 12 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the line. Junior Anna Dziadkowiec (Krakow, Poland) chipped in 12 points off the bench while sophomore Mikaelar Whippy (Suva, Fiji) netted 11.

The Blackbirds led 24-23 at intermission. In the second period, LIU shot 44 percent from the field, shooting 11-for-25 from the floor. After a Dziadkowiec jumper pushed the LIU lead to nine, 52-43, the Gazelles went on an 11-0 run to take a two-point advantage, 54-52, with 1:28 left. A short jumper by Whippy tied the contest and sent it into the extra session.

The overtime period saw New York score the first six points as the Blackbirds committed four turnovers in a span of 2:04. LIU rallied, and a Wirth three-pointer knotted the game at 62-62 with :33 left. After a free throw by Shamika Stevens gave the Gazelles a one-point lead, LIU had one last chance but a jumper by junior Sonya Coleman was off the mark. Selby Hamp converted a three-point play to give New York a four-point victory.

Toronda Hayes had a game-high 16 points for New York. Shamika Stevens added 12 points and four assists.

LIU returns to action on Jan. 2 versus Navy at 5:00 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.