ROCHESTER, N.Y. – For the second consecutive game, the LIU Post women's basketball team put together a strong second-half run to try to erase a halftime deficit, but its efforts came up just short as the Pioneers fell to Roberts Wesleyan College, 66-61 at the Voller Athletic Center on Sunday, Feb. 17.
 
LIU Post trailed 33-19 at the half, shooting just 17-percent (6-35) during the opening 20 minutes. The Pioneers converted on just two of their 18 attempts from beyond the three-point line during the first half.
 
Roberts Wesleyan extended the lead to as many as 18 points (44-26) midway through the third quarter before the Green and Gold began to climb back into the contest. A three-pointer by senior Shannon Doyle ignited a 14-5 run to close out the period, cutting the deficit to single digits at 49-40. Although the outside shots were not dropping during the first half, they began to fall in bunches during the Pioneer run. Junior Mikaiya Moore and senior Asia Turner poured in three-point baskets to open up the fourth quarter and Turner connected on a running floater with 5:35 remaining to pull LIU Post within four points (52-48).
 
Following an LIU Post technical foul, the Redhawks knocked down two free throws and put home a jumper on the following possession to push the lead back up to eight points (56-48). The triples continued to fall, however, as Turner and Doyle drilled back-to-back threes with just under four minutes remaining to make it a one-possession game at 56-54. Another three-pointer by redshirt-junior Robyn Francis pulled LIU Post within two points (60-58) with 2:26 to play.
 
The Redhawk defense did an excellent job of locking up the interior of the defensive zone, limiting the Pioneers to just two field goal attempts inside the arc during the fourth quarter, albeit two successful attempts. One of the two successful shots inside the arc came from redshirt-junior Taylah Hudson with 33 seconds on the clock to make it a two-point game for the final time, as Roberts Wesleyan tacked on four points the rest of the way for the 66-61 victory.
 
Turner led the Pioneers with 13 points while Doyle chipped in 12. Francis collected a team-best and career-high 13 rebounds, while also dishing out five assists and adding three steals.
 
LIU Post returns to the court for a crucial East Coast Conference matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 20 when they travel to the University of Bridgeport. The Pioneers currently hold a half-game lead over the Purple Knights for fourth-place in the conference standings with a potential home playoff game going to the victor.