NEW YORK (Interstat) — Kadidia Toure scored 20 points and Hannah Humphrey added 14 as Long Island built a commanding early lead and withstood a late Wagner rally for a 79-71 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Spiro Sports Center.

The Sharks (19-10, 13-5) avenged a home loss to the Seahawks from five weeks prior and secured a critical conference win by controlling the game for the first three quarters before navigating a tense final period.

Long Island established its dominance from the opening tip, using a 12-2 run midway through the first quarter to open a double-digit lead. The Sharks led 22-18 after one quarter and then tightened their defense in the second, holding Wagner to just 10 points. A 9-0 spurt, capped by a Solangelei Akridge three-pointer, pushed the Long Island advantage to 40-28 at halftime.

The Sharks’ efficiency was the story of the first half. They shot 45.5% from the field in the opening twenty minutes and capitalized on Wagner’s offensive struggles. The Seahawks (13-16, 9-9) managed only one made three-pointer on 12 attempts for the entire game and committed 12 first-half turnovers.

Long Island extended its lead to as many as 17 points in the third quarter, taking a 62-49 advantage into the final frame. Toure, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Silver Spring, Maryland, was a consistent force inside, scoring efficiently on 6-of-12 shooting and adding eight rebounds. Humphrey, a guard from Kendleton, Texas, provided steady playmaking and scoring, while Kionna Gaines contributed 16 points.

The most important phase of the game came in the fourth quarter as Wagner mounted a furious comeback attempt. The Seahawks, led by Irene Fernandez de Caleya’s 14 points and Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor’s 15, began to chip away at the deficit with increased defensive pressure. They forced eight Long Island turnovers in the final quarter and cut the lead to single digits.

A driving layup by Fernandez de Caleya with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter had sparked a 10-0 Wagner run that bridged the quarters, pulling the Seahawks within 62-57. The surge continued into the fourth, with Wagner trimming the lead to 69-65 on a pair of free throws by Fernandez de Caleya with 1:28 to play.

However, Long Island’s composure at the free-throw line ultimately sealed the victory. The Sharks went 19 for 26 from the stripe, including critical makes down the stretch. After Wagner closed to within four, the Sharks answered with a crucial three-pointer from Leila Nunez, assisted by Humphrey, to push the lead back to seven with 3:58 remaining.

Wagner made one final push, getting within 75-71 on a Malia Mpondo layup with 24 seconds left, but could get no closer. Long Island closed the game by making four of its final six free throws to secure the eight-point win.

Despite the loss, Wagner won several statistical battles, out-rebounding Long Island 44-38, including a 13-10 edge on the offensive glass, and recording 12 steals and 12 assists to Long Island’s four. But the Seahawks’ anemic three-point shooting (8.3%) and lower offensive efficiency proved insurmountable. Long Island scored 79 points on 76 possessions (103.5 offensive rating) while Wagner managed 71 on 79 possessions (89.5 offensive rating).

Akridge finished with 12 points for Long Island. For Wagner, Raneem Elbarky scored 11 points and Klea Kaci dished out five assists.

The announced attendance was 437. Long Island concludes its regular season with momentum, while Wagner looks to regroup in its finale.