LIU Downs St. Francis (NY), 70-31

(boxscore)

2/16/06 -- Long Island University had three players reach double figures en route to a 70-31 victory over St. Francis (NY) in Northeast Conference women’s basketball action on Thursday evening at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center.

Junior Sara Oblak (Skofja Loka, Slovenia) poured in 22 points, including an 11-of-14 performance from the floor. Senior forward Amber Wirth (Hastings, Minn.) scored 18 points, tying her career-best six 3-pointers.

Sophomore Mikaelar Whippy (Suva, Fiji) added 11, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

LIU (11-12, 9-5 NEC) opened the game with a 20-2 run capped off by a jumper from Oblak just inside the arc. Valentina Ionova ended the Terriers’ drought with a layup at the 7:44 mark (23-4).

The Blackbirds rolled on as Wirth hit three consecutive treys to give them a 41-6 advantage. They led 41-8, marking the second time this season they scored over 40 points by the half.

The Blackbirds held SFNY to a dismal 17.4 percent shooting from the field in the first period.

Oblak and Wirth each tallied 12 points each at intermission.

LIU continued to dominate in the second frame, leading by as many as 44 points with 2:59 remaining. The 70-31 triumph is the largest margin of victory since the Blackbirds dropped American University-Puerto Rico, 89-43 on Dec. 22, 1993.

The Terriers were paced by Sarah Bratton with 11 points.

Long Island returns to action on Saturday, February 18, hosting St. Francis (Pa). Tip-off is at 2:00 pm.