BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's basketball team begins the Northeast Conference slate at home Thursday afternoon, hosting Mount St. Mary's as a part of a doubleheader with the women's team. Tip off for the second game of the day is scheduled for no earlier than 4:30 p.m.
QUICK HITS
- The Blackbirds (7-6) are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, including dropping five of their last six games. LIU is coming off a 75-66 loss to Niagara last Wednesday. The Blackbirds had four players score in double figures, but as a team, LIU struggled with shooting, going 38 percent from the field, and 18 percent from behind the arc.
- Senior Jerome Frink led LIU with a double-double, despite shooting 5-for-21 from the field. The forward had 13 rebounds and 12 points to lead the Blackbirds.
- Three other players led LIU with double-digit scoring efforts: senior Iverson Fleming had 15 points and four steals, freshman Jashaun Agosto had 14 points, and senior Nura Zanna went 6-for-8 from the field for 13 points, along with seven boards.
- Mount St. Mary's enters Thursday's game with a 2-11 overall record, including a 1-9 tally on the road. The Mountaineers are coming off their best offensive effort of the season, beating Coppin State, 87-49 a week ago.
- Mount, who was picked to tie for fourth with LIU in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, has had a tough non-conference schedule this season, playing and losing to three teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation (West Virginia, Iowa State and Michigan). MSM also has two common opponents with the Blackbirds, in Loyola (L, 64-57) and Minnesota (L, 80-56).
- Last season, Mount and LIU opened the NEC season with each other. The Mountaineers came out on top in Maryland, 79-63. The Blackbirds got revenge in Brooklyn, beating MSM, 77-74 later that season.
- Mount is led by sophomore guard Elijah Long, who is averaging 14.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists per game. Junior guard Junior Robinson adds 12.3 points per game, while freshman Miles Wilson is another guard adding 10.1 points per game. 6-9 sophomore forward Mawdo Sallah is the team's top inside man, with 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game.
- Up next, the Blackbirds host Bryant, Saturday, December 31, in another NEC double slate. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.