Late Push Helps Women's Basketball End Losing Streak With 72-69 Victory At LIU Post

Brookville, N.Y.-Trailing 66-64 with 4:35 to play in the fourth quarter, the University of Bridgeport women's basketball team went on a 6-0 run over the next 2:12 of play to take a 70-66 lead which the visiting Purple Knights never relinquished, as UB picked up a 72-69 East Coast Conference win at LIU Post on Wednesday evening.  The victory snaps a four-game losing streak for Bridgeport, as the UB women are now 9-8 overall and 3-4 in conference play.  LIU Post is now an even 8-8 overall and 5-2 in the ECC.

Senior Evelyn Over (Vallentuna, Sweden), who hit two key free throws with eight seconds to play, and sophomore Samnell Vonleh (Swampscott, Mass.), who connected on 7-of-8 field goals on the night, led the Purple Knights' offense, as they each scored 16 points.

The 6-5, Vonleh dominated the paint on defense for the winners blocking a season-high total of nine shots and grabbing seven rebounds.

Senior Aaliyah Mercer (Bronx, N.Y.) and sophomore Nicole Johnson (Newark, N.J.) also reached double-digit scoring, as they each chipped in 11 points for UB.  Mercer also led the team with a six assists on the night.

Bridgeport graduate student Anastasia Williams (Central Islip, N.Y.) had a solid game at both ends of the court on Wednesday, as she grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and added eight points.

As a team, the Purple Knights shot the ball extremely well against the host Pioneers hitting 52.6 percent of their shots (30-of-57) on the night.  Bridgeport was red-hot in the first half shooting 63.3 percent from the field (19-of-30).

LIU Post's Kylie Garrett led all scorers in the game with 20 points.

The UB women's basketball team will return to the court in one week, on Wednesday, January 18, when the Purple Knights host the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds in an East Coast Conference contest.  Game time in Hubbell Gym is set for 5:00 p.m.