Senior guard Cigi McCollin notched game-highs of 16 points and five assists and senior forward Lizanne Murphy added 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds as the Hofstra Women's Basketball team defeated Long Island University, 68-57, Friday evening at the Wellness Center.

The win improved Hofstra's record to 2-1 on the season, while the Blackbirds fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Murphy's double-double was her second of the season, while senior center Vanessa Gidden contributed her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Gidden also notched her first blocked shot of the season and now is just one block shy of the school record of 134 set by Diane Leonard (1978-82).

Hofstra poured in 40 first half points as they opened as much as a 13-point lead following a Gidden basket at the 4:37 mark.  Long Island would narrow the deficit, though, as they went on a 12-2 run and were within, three, 38-35, with 23 seconds remaining in the half after a bucket from Sara Oblak.  McCollin gave Hofstra some extra breathing room in the waning moments of the half with a layup with one second left.

Senior forward Lana Harshaw pushed the Pride's advantage to seven at the 19:02 with one of her six baskets in the game, but the Blackbirds had another run in them and tied the contest at 44 after another Oblak basket.  It marked the first time the game been tied since the opening tip.

Senior guard Jeanell Hughes would break the tie with a three-pointer, and Hofstra would never look back as they opened as much as an 18-point lead enroute to the 11-point victory.

Harshaw finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in the contest, while Hughes chipped in with seven points and four assists.

Valerie Nainima led Long Island with 15 points and Mikaelar Whippy added 13 points.

Hofstra returns to action next Wednesday, November 22 when they travel to East Lansing, Michigan to face the nationally-ranked Spartans at 7 p.m.

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