NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — Kadidia Toure delivered a dominant 23-point, 16-rebound double-double and the Long Island Sharks used a decisive second-quarter surge to pull away from the winless Central Connecticut Blue Devils, securing a 72-56 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Friday afternoon at William H. Detrick Gymnasium.

The most important stretch of the contest came in the second period, where Long Island’s defense completely stifled the Central Connecticut offense. After leading 17-16 through a competitive first quarter, the Sharks held the Blue Devils to just 10 points in the second quarter while forcing seven turnovers. That defensive lockdown allowed Long Island to build a 32-26 halftime advantage, a lead it would not relinquish.

Central Connecticut, which fell to 0-12 on the season, never recovered from that cold spell. The Blue Devils’ offensive struggles were encapsulated in the third quarter, where they managed only nine points. Long Island extended its lead to 49-35 entering the final period and cruised to the finish, improving its record to 6-6.

Toure, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Silver Spring, Maryland, was the engine for the Sharks. She shot 8 for 17 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, and added a steal and a block in 31 minutes. Her work on the glass was particularly impactful, as she grabbed six offensive rebounds, helping Long Island to a 10-4 advantage in second-chance opportunities.

She was supported by backcourt mates Janessa Williams and Solangelei Akridge, who each scored 13 points. Williams added five rebounds and two steals, while Akridge dished out a team-high four assists. Hannah Humphrey provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, all coming from beyond the arc where she shot 4 for 12.

For Central Connecticut, Jessica Farrell led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Lucia Noin recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Kiyah Lewis contributed 11 points. However, the Blue Devils were undone by poor shooting from distance, connecting on just 2 of 12 three-point attempts, and ball security, committing 17 turnovers that led to 15 Long Island points.

The Sharks’ offense, while not efficient overall at 36% from the field, capitalized on its opportunities at the free-throw line, making 17 of 22 attempts. Central Connecticut shot a slightly better percentage from the floor but attempted 21 fewer shots in the game, a direct result of Long Island’s commanding 45-33 rebounding edge and fewer turnovers.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s ELO system, which had given the home-standing Blue Devils a 67.8% probability to win. Instead, Long Island methodically took control and handed Central Connecticut its 12th consecutive loss to open the season in front of a crowd of 245.

Long Island looks to build momentum when it hosts Chicago State on Sunday. Central Connecticut continues its search for its first victory Sunday on the road at New Haven.