Sunday, December 24, 2017

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Bring on the NEC

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH




LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Flatbush Closes Out Non-Conference Schedule With First Road Victory of Season.

Flatbush concluded their non-conference schedule on Friday with a 74-66 victory over the Binghamton University Bearcats.  In gaining their fourth victory over an America East opponent, the Blackbirds improve to 5-8 overall.

Although they previously earned a neutral site victory earlier this season at the Jamaica Classic, their recent triumph over Binghamton at upstate Vestal, New York, additionally marks the Blackbirds' first road win of the season.

Despite jumping out to a 13-4 lead, and still leading by eight with six minutes left in the half, LIU only took a one point lead into the break.

The Bearcats, however, spent the second session in foul trouble while the Blackbirds took full advantage, converting 15/23 from the charity stripe.  They were similarly effective from the field, shooting 14/24 (60.8%) in the second half despite only converting 1/7 from beyond the three.

Binghamton's shooting from the field, meanwhile, lagged throughout, finishing just 43.4% for the game.

Flatbush otherwise out-rebounded Binghamton by a 33-25 margin, and likewise outscored them by a 9-2 spread in second chance points.

Joel Hernandez led all scorers with 25 points to go along with a game high eight rebounds.

Raiquan Clark added 23 points, and five boards.  He was 6/6 from the field, but inflicted particular damage from the free throw line, converting on 11/15 chances.

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The Blackbirds are 3-2 so far at home this season, where they will open their Northeast Conference schedule on Dec.29 against Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Entering conference play, Wagner presently leads the standings with a 7-5 record.  Saint Francis U and Central Connecticut are the other teams presently playing above par.  Point being, the sixth place Blackbirds aren't necessarily entering conference play far behind the competition.



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