LOWELL, Mass. - The LIU Brooklyn men's basketball team continues its nine-game swing away from the Steinberg Wellness Center this weekend, as the Blackbirds return to the Bay State to take on UMass Lowell in an ESPN3 match-up, Saturday, November 26 at 2 p.m.
QUICK HITS
- The Blackbirds are coming off a second place finish at the Steve Wright Classic, hosted by Boston University. LIU lost to the host Terriers, 86-69, but beat both Northeastern (78-74) and Maine (71-66), to improve to 4-1 this season.
- Senior Iverson Fleming led LIU in the win over Maine, as he drained a career-high 26 points, including going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
- Freshman Jashaun Agosto was also a highlight for the Blackbirds, being named NEC Rookie of the Week Monday afternoon prior to the Maine game. The Seattle, WA product averaged 15.7 points and hit 6-10 shots from outside the arc in three games against Loyola, Northeastern and BU. He also contributed 2.3 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game for LIU Brooklyn. Agosto scored 12 points in the 65-61 victory over Loyola on Wednesday, then exploded for 18 of his season-best 20 points in the second half as the Blackbirds rallied from 12 down to upend Northeastern on Saturday. He hit three straight three-pointers to kick start the comeback and converted a conventional three-point play with 39 seconds on the clock to give LIU a four-point edge. Agosto finished his week with a team-high 15 points against Boston U on Sunday. He ranks third among NEC freshmen with 12.5 ppg.
- UMass Lowell enters Saturday's game at 2-4 on the season, and are fresh off a four-game, two-state road trip. The Riverhawks ended the weekend with a win over 76-71 over Mississippi Valley State, after falling to No. 6 Indiana (100-78), Fort Wayne (94-81) and Liberty (84-77)
- Earlier this season, UML beat their first Northeast Conference opponent Wagner, 87-76.
- Junior guard/forward Jahad Thomas leads Lowell, with a 13.7 points per game average and a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game average. Thomas also lead the team with 10 steals and 4.0 assists per game.
- Other main contributors include junior guard Matt Harris, who is averaging 13.5 points per game off the bench, along with senior forward Tyler Livingston (11.3 ppg) and sophomore guard Issac White (10.5 ppg).
- LIU continues the road swing with a midweek road trip to Hartford, Wednesday, November 230. Tip-off against the Hawks is scheduled for 8 p.m.