BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – A double-digit victory against Saint Thomas Aquinas College elevated the LIU Post women's basketball team into the top spot in the East Coast Conference (ECC) standings with two games remaining, as the Pioneers downed the Spartans 77-66 inside the Pratt Recreation Center Feb. 17.
 
The Pioneers clinched a first-round bye last night when Queens College defeated Roberts Wesleyan College. LIU Post held the tie-breaker over Roberts Wesleyan, securing a top-two seed for the upcoming ECC Tournament, and put themselves in an excellent position for the number one overall seed with Saturday's victory.
 
Senior Sasha Patterson dominated in the paint for the Pioneers, recording another double-double behind a 17-point, 17-rebound effort. Junior Shannon Doyle added 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, grabbing seven rebounds and recording three blocks in the process. Senior Kylie Garrett drained two three-point baskets and hit two free throws down the stretch en route to a 12-point output, and sophomore Mikaiya Moore chipped in 12 points to round out four double-digit scorers. Alex Bertolino led the Spartans with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
 
The Spartans started the game strong, taking an early five-point lead (8-3), and eventually stretched the lead to six points (18-12) with 2:13 remaining in the opening frame. The Pioneers chipped away at the lead to end the stanza, however, as Garrett used a slick behind-the-back dribble to free up space for a jumper in the paint as time expired to make it a one-point game (20-19) at the first intermission.
 
After the two teams traded buckets over the next few possessions, sophomore Robyn Francis hit two free throws to spark an11-4 burst to give LIU Post a 35-29 advantage late in the half. Two late free throws from STAC made it 41-35 at the half.
 
The Pioneers began the second half on a tear, scoring 10 of the first 12 points to take a 14-point lead (51-37). Moments later the Pioneers took their largest lead at 16-points on a Garrett three-pointer and remained in control through the third quarter. STAC stuck around, however, and rallied late in the fourth-quarter to put the pressure on LIU Post. A seven-point burst for the Spartans made it a two-possession game at 69-63 with 1:53 to play, but Patterson and sophomore Taylah Hudson hit a pair of free throws to push the lead back up to double digits, helping to halt the Spartan run as the Pioneers held on for the 77-66 final.
 
The Green and Gold control its own destiny the rest of the way, as wins in the team's final two contests would guarantee the number one overall seed in the ECC Tournament. The Pioneers will look to extend their win streak to seven games on Senior Night when the team honors Naya Williams, Kristen Olsen, and Garrett before taking on Daemen College at 5:00 p.m.