Women's Basketball Drops Home Finale To Bryant, 69-54

BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell to Bryant University, 69-54 in the final home game of the season at the Steinberg Center on Monday night. Sophomore Tia Montagne recorded a team-high 17 points to go along with five assists on the night. Freshman Brandy Thomas recorded 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for her third straight double-double. Her 14 double-doubles on the season are most by an LIU player since Jineea Butler recorded 14 during the 1995-96 season. Bryant got off to a strong start to open the game with an eight point opening run. A layup from Thomas at 4:14 broke up that stretch. The Bulldogs continued to click on the offensive end with a nine-point closing run while holding the Blackbirds scoreless from the floor for a 19-2 lead after the opening quarter. LIU brushed off the slow start with an 11-0 opening run to start the second quarter as a three-pointer from Montagne at 6:10 capped that stretch to make it a 19-13 Bulldogs favor. The Blackbirds continued to fight back, led by Montagne's five points to close the quarter with a five-point deficit at 27-22. LIU shot 57.1% from the floor in the second quarter. . After a Bulldogs bucket to open the half, freshman Ryan Weise connected on a three on the fast break to cut the deficit to four for LIU at 29-25 with 9:31 to go in the third. Bryant held a slight edge over the next two minutes before embarking on a 18-7 stretch to take a 49-34 lead into final period. The Blackbirds opened the final period with a spot up three-pointer from sophomore Jeydah Johnson that opened an eight-point swing as Montagne added a three-pointer and Weise registered a layup at 8:19 to cut the deficit to eight at 50-42. Bryant answered with a six-point stretch to put LIU out of striking distance, and held on to take the 69-54 wire-to-wire win.