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Long Island University’s men’s basketball team proudly represented Brooklyn on Thursday night, battling back from a late deficit to defeat Saint Francis University on the road. The win lifted the Sharks to 19-9 overall and 13-2 in NEC play, clinching at least a share of the Northeast Conference regular season title.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with LIU and Saint Francis combining for 15 lead changes in the opening 20 minutes. Midway through the half, Malachi Davis put the Sharks in front with a layup, and LIU carried a 43-38 advantage into halftime.
LIU extended the lead to as many as eight early in the second half, but Saint Francis countered to tie the game at 56-56 with 14:09 remaining. From there, the teams traded big possessions and matched each other nearly every step of the way, tying seven more times over the next eight minutes. A Saint Francis three-pointer snapped a 77-77 tie with 5:58 left.
Saint Francis pushed ahead by as many as seven with under four minutes to play, but LIU stayed composed and responded with key baskets from Greg Gordon, Jomo Goings, and Davis to cut the deficit to one. After Jamal Fuller hit a free throw and Saint Francis turned the ball over, Goings tied the game at 89-89 by knocking down two free throws.
The Red Flash had a late chance to regain the lead, but a missed free throw and a rebound by Goings gave LIU the ball in the closing seconds. Mason Porter-Brown stepped to the line with six seconds remaining and calmly hit both free throws, sealing the road victory.
Davis led LIU with 20 points, while Fuller, Goings, and Gordon each scored 18. Porter-Brown added 15. Goings pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, and Fuller and Gordon recorded four steals apiece.
With the win, LIU secured at least a share of the NEC regular season title for the first time since the 2011-12 season. It marks the program’s seventh regular season title, adding to championships won in 1982-83, 1983-84, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2010-11, and 2011-12.
The Sharks can claim the NEC title outright Saturday with a win over Mercyhurst University, or if Central Connecticut State University loses on Saturday.
LIU Men’s Basketball remains on the road Saturday, Feb. 21, traveling to face the Mercyhurst Lakers at 2 p.m.
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