BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's basketball team will host Bryant, Saturday, March 2 in the Steinberg Wellness Center to cap the 2018-19 regular season. The Blackbirds and the Bulldogs will tip off in the second game of the doubleheader at 4:30 p.m.
NOTES FROM THE NEST
- LIU is coming off a big win at home Thursday night; the Blackbirds put on a shooting clinic in the Steinberg Wellness Center, beating Central Connecticut State, 84-55. With the win, the Blackbirds clinched a spot in the Northeast Conference postseason tournament, and improved to 14-15 on the season, and 8-9 in NEC action.
- LIU was led by strong outside shooting from junior Ashtyn Bradley, who made six of LIU's 16 three pointers, en route to a new career high of 18 points. The Blackbirds shot 55 percent from three-point range in the first half, making 11 of their 16 threes in the first stanza.
- Bradley was just two three pointers away from LIU's record for threes in a game, of eight, set by LIU Hall of Famer Charles Jones in 1998. Bradley also had three steals for LIU.
- Senior Raul Frias also flirted with the program's single-game record, as he had five three-pointers for 15 points. He also had a career-high five steals on defense. Sophomore Ty Flowers had 13 points for the Blackbirds, along with 10 rebounds, for his eighth double double of the season. Flowers also had four blocks, four assists and two steals for LIU. Junior Jashaun Agosto had 12 points, going 6-of-10 from the field, and led the Blackbirds with six assists.
- The Blackbirds have won the last three straight meetings with Bryant, including earlier this season in Rhode Island.
- LIU led for most of the afternoon in the Chace Athletic Center, but the Blackbirds would pull away late in the game, using hot shooting from beyond the arc to beat Bryant, 79-70. Junior Julian Batts led the charge for LIU, with 20 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Senior Raiquan Clark had 19 points, while Flowers had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
- Bryant (10-18, 7-10) has clinched the eighth and final spot in the NEC tournament with help from LIU's win Thursday. The Bulldogs will be playing for seeding Saturday, hoping to move up to the 7th seed.
- LIU could finish as high as the No. 6 seed, and as low as No. 8, depending on Saturday's results.
- Up next, the Blackbirds will take part in the NEC Tournament quarterfinal round, Wednesday, March 6, with time, opponent and location to be determined.