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Purple Knights Outlast Lady Pioneers

Purple Knights Outlast Lady Pioneers

Photo by LIU ATHLETICS

David Otero
Sports Editor

On Saturday, January 26, the LIU Post women’s basketball team fell short against the Bridgeport Purple Knights (12-6) by a final score of 72-66. After losing to NYIT on the road last weekend, the Lady Pioneers (12-5) have now dropped two of the last three games.

The first half of play was evenly matched between the East Coast Conference rivals, but the Purple Knights led 34-30 at the end of the first 20 minutes. Throughout the second half, it felt as if Bridgeport’s lead was never at risk. The turnovers piled up for the Lady Pioneers, the Purple Knights were nearly flawless in its transition offense, and nearly every time the Lady Pioneers would string together solid possessions the Purple Knights would answer right back with points of its own.

Here are a two key statistics as to how the Purple Knights beat the Lady Pioneers:

1) Turnovers: Lady Pioneers had 24, Purple Knights had 12

2) Fastbreak points: Lady Pioneers scored 5 points, Purple Knights scored 18 points

This season the Lady Pioneers have had a propensity to frequently turn the basketball over. For the season, the team averages more than 22 per game. The Lady Pioneers have a 12-5 overall record despite that colossal number. However, the Purple Knights made the Lady Pioneers pay for its transgressions.

Sophomore guard Chelsea Williams led the Lady Pioneers in scoring with 15 points on 6-11 shooting from the floor. Despite only converting two of her 10 attempts from the field, senior forward Nicolette Marciniak scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds – all while playing on an injured ankle. Junior guard Alexis Peters nearly notched her first double-double of the season as she tallied 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Although LIU Post struggled in the transition game, the Lady Pioneers out rebounded the Purple Knights 37-22 and nailed five of 10 shots attempted from beyond the arc. The Lady Pioneers had a couple different issues during the game, but the biggest problem for the team was Bridgeport’s senior forward Tanisha Carter. She was nearly perfect from the field as she registered 23 points and connected on 10-12 shots from the floor. Carter hit shots from the top of the key, the baseline, with her back to the basket and inside. She showed a variety of looks and was an issue all afternoon for the Lady Pioneers.

The Lady Pioneers’ next game is Wednesday, January 30, at home against Dowling College (15-2). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., but there will be pregame coverage at 4:30 p.m. on 88.1 FM and WCWP.org. This game is considered Post Pride Day as fans are encouraged to wear green for a “Green Out.” There will also be giveaways and promotions going on throughout both the men’s and women’s basketball games.

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