Oblak and Nainima Lead Long Island Past The Mount, 76-41

(boxscore)

1/8/07 -- The Long Island University women’s basketball team made easy work of Northeast Conference rival Mount St. Mary’s, downing the Mountaineers, 76-41, in a matinee matchup at the Wellness Center. Freshman Valerie Nainima (Suva, Fiji) and senior Sara Oblak (Skofja Loka, Slovenia) combined for 38 points as the Blackbirds enjoyed their second victory of 30 or more points this season.

Long Island (10-5, 3-1 NEC) got off to a quick start for the second consecutive game as the Blackbirds scored the game’s first eight points. Long Island used an up-tempo pace early on as the Blackbirds built a 14-2 edge on several fast breaks. Mount St. Mary’s (3-11, 1-3 NEC) would fall behind by as many as 15 points in the first frame.

The Blackbirds kept on gunning in the second half, as Oblak took over. After scoring four points in the first frame, the senior shot a perfect 6-for-6 after intermission to finish with a season-high 18 points. Oblak also contributed five rebounds and a pair of assists to go along with a block and a steal.

Nainima netted a game-high 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting. The Fiji naitive knocked down a quartet of three-pointers and snared five boards.

The Blackbirds saw their lead reach as many as 39 points in the second half as coach Stephanie V. Gaitley emptied her bench. Junior Joella Pounds (Clifton, N.J.) saw her first action of the season, knocking down a jumper to finish with two points and two assists. Senior Anna Dziadkowiec (Krakow, Poland) chipped in seven points and freshman Minna Sten (Turku, Finland) added five points.

Long Island controlled the glass, grabbing 42 boards compared to the Mount’s 29. Senior Mikaelar Whippy (Suva, Fiji) snared a game-high nine caroms and freshman Connie James (Galloway, N.J.) pulled down seven rebounds to go along with her nine points.

The Blackbirds shot 50 percent for the game, including a red-hot 60 percent in the second stanza. Mount St. Mary’s shot 32 percent from the field.

The win was the 10th of the season for Long Island and is the quickest the Blackbirds have reached 10 wins since the 1976-77 season. The 35-point margin of victory was the largest for Long Island since a 70-31 win over St. Francis (N.Y.) on Feb. 16, 2006.

The Blackbirds return to action on Saturday, Jan. 13 when they host Saint Francis (Pa.) as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team.