Four-Game Winning Streak Ends as Women's Basketball Falls to Robert Morris, 59-51

(boxscore)

2/20/06- The Long Island University women’s basketball team fell to Robert Morris,59-51, Monday evening at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center in Northeast Conference action, ending a four-game win streak.

The Blackbirds (12-13, 10-6 NEC) were led by junior Marquita Thompson (Garland, Texas) with 23 points and five rebounds.

Senior Amber Wirth (Hastings, Minn.) nailed her second 3-pointer of the first half to push the Blackbirds to a 14-9 advantage with 9:12 showing. The Colonials (18-7, 14-2 NEC) roared back, building a six-point lead (22-16) when Psyche Butler converted a three-point play with 2:58 remaining. A lay-up by Thompson pulled LIU within four (21-25) to end the first period.

The Blackbirds chipped away to start the half as junior Sonya Coleman (Toledo, Ohio) found senior Polona Oberc to cut the deficit to 27-26 with 18:18 remaining. A 9-1 RMU spurt capped off by a 3-ball from Natasha Summerville would give the visitors a 36-27 advantage.

LIU countered with a 12-2 run - highlighted by a a pair of triples from Thompson and Brittani Kozik - to capture its first lead of the second stanza, 39-38, midway through the half. The Colonials would have a response, tearing off a 15-5 run of their own to take control of the game.

Butler led RMU with a double-double notching 19 points and 14 rebounds.

The Blackbirds travel to Wagner on Friday, Feb. 24 for a televised NEC double-header. Tip-off is at 5:00 p.m., with the men’s game immediately following.