Preview of Thursday’s Northeast Conference Women’s Basketball Game

DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Long Island Sharks look to complete a regular-season sweep and solidify their standing in the Northeast Conference when they visit the Le Moyne Dolphins on Thursday night at Ted Grant Court.

Long Island (11-8, 6-2 NEC) enters with a clear record advantage over Le Moyne (5-16, 3-5) and won the first meeting this season, 79-68, at home on Jan. 15. In that game, Sharks guard Solangelei Akridge scored 23 points, while Dolphins forward Ashley Buragas answered with 21 for Le Moyne.

Akridge remains a focal point for the Sharks. The guard is averaging 11.6 points and 3.4 assists per game in conference play, coming off a 15-point effort in a win over Stonehill last week before being held to nine points in a home loss to Wagner on Saturday.

For the Dolphins, Buragas has been a consistent bright spot despite the team’s struggles. She is coming off a dominant 13-point, 15-rebound performance in a loss to Fairleigh Dickinson and has recorded four double-doubles in NEC play this season. Her matchup inside will be critical for Le Moyne’s chances.

The Sharks have shown resilience on the road in conference action, with wins at Saint Francis (Pa.) and Mercyhurst earlier this month. Le Moyne has found wins hard to come by at home in NEC play, last winning at Ted Grant Court on Jan. 4.

Thursday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting between the programs this season outside of the conference tournament. Long Island will aim to avoid a letdown after the disappointing Wagner result, while Le Moyne seeks to build momentum and split the season series.

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff.