Women's Basketball Posts 65-55 Exhibition Victory over the New York Gazelles

(boxscore)

11/18/04 -- Sophomore Kelli Sawyer (Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior Ravin Chase (Baltimore, Md.) each recorded a double-double for Long Island, which rode solid shooting and strong defense to a 65-55 exhibition victory over the New York Gazelles at Schwartz Center.

Sawyer, a member of the NEC All-Rookie team last season, just missed a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Chase ended with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 13 rebounds, junior Amber Wirth (Hastings, Minn.) netted 10 points and freshman Mikaelar Whippy (Suva, Fiji) added nine.

The Blackbirds went on a 19-3 first-half run to open a 27-10 lead with 4:38 left. Seven different players for LIU scored with Wirth netting six points to lead the way.

The Gazelles closed to 58-52 with 2:46 remaining when Teakyta Barnes nailed a 3-pointer. But Whippy came back with a triple of her own on the next possession for a nine-point contest and the Gazelles got no closer than eight.

LIU shot 50 percent (14-of-28) from the floor in the opening half and 47 percent (27-of-57) overall. The Gazelles were limited to 25 percent (8-of-32) in the first half and 32 percent (20-of-63) overall.

Texlin Quinney poured in 12 points and Candice Lloyd added 10 for the Gazelles.

LIU opens the season on a four-game homestand, beginning Tuesday against Boston University. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm.