CHICAGO (Interstat) — A surging Long Island women’s basketball team looks to rebound from a rare setback when it visits struggling Chicago State in a Northeast Conference matchup Thursday night at Jones Convocation Center. The Sharks (17-9) had a six-game winning streak snapped in a 58-55 home loss to Mercyhurst on Feb. 21. They will be heavily favored against a Cougars squad (8-20) that has lost three straight and eight of its last ten. Long Island’s fortunes revolve around forward Kadidia Toure, who is in the midst of a dominant stretch. Over her last seven games, Toure is averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest. She posted a 26-point, 18-rebound, 6-assist, 5-block stat line in an overtime win over New Haven on Feb. 14 and followed with 26 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Mercyhurst. Chicago State will counter with guard Keona McGee, its leading scorer during conference play. McGee averaged 19.3 points in three games last week, including a 28-point performance in a win over Central Connecticut on Feb. 5. She scored 19 in the Cougars’ most recent outing, an 86-75 loss at Central Connecticut on Feb. 21. The teams met earlier this season on Jan. 4 in Brooklyn, with Long Island securing a 60-51 victory. The Sharks have controlled the conference slate, sitting near the top of the standings, while the Cougars are near the bottom. For Chicago State, the game represents an opportunity to play spoiler and build momentum before hosting Wagner on Saturday. Long Island, seeking to solidify its postseason positioning, continues a road swing at Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Thursday.