LIU Blackbirds: Gerrell Martin Leads Flatbush Over NSU Spartans

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

LIU/BROOKLYN BLACKBIRDS: The Flatbush Hoops Prevail Over NSU Spartans In Home Court Opener.

After a superlative, albeit losing effort against the Indiana Hoosiers, the LIU Blackbirds were bullied over the final three games of the 2K Sports Classic, played in Irvine, California.  UC Irvine defeated LIU by twenty-points, in an 84-64 final.  Eastern Washington then went triple-digits against the Blackbirds, winning by a lopsided 102-70 margin.  LIU regained a measure of composure versus Boston University, but still fell by a 72-57 final.  Fifty-seven points marks their lowest offensive output so far, while 102 points allowed speaks for itself.

Back home in their Ashland Place Gymnasium, the Blackbirds got December off on the right foot.  On Sunday, they turned homecoming into a thriller.  With the score tied 72-72 and six seconds left on the game clock, the Norfork State Spartans held possession.  Coming out of a time out, NSU's Malcom Hawkins' attempted jumper was blocked by LIU's Troy Joseph.  E.J. Reed came up with the loose ball and found Jason Brickman for an outlet. Brickman then dribbled beyond mid-court, and laced a text book bounce pass to Gerrell Martin filling the paint, and who converted the transition for the game winning lay-up as time expired.  With that, the Blackbirds secured their second victory of the season by a 74-72 final.

All five Blackbirds starters scored in double-digits, led by Gerrell Martin's 16 points.

Next up, the Blackbirds head into Newark, New Jersey, this Thursday, to take on the Seton Hall Pirates.



Mike.BTB