Hoops of Flatbush Strike Twice

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Kellogg's Kids Clear First Hurdle in Defense of NEC Title.

Led by Raiquan Clark's game-high 21-points the (#6) Blackbirds upset (#3) Sacred Heart University at the Pitt Center on Wednesday, earning them a semifinal match-up against conference top seed St. Francis University.  Jashaun Agosto added 15-points, as did Eral Penn whom also tied for game-high with nine rebounds en route to LIU's 71-62 victory over the Pioneers.

Flatbush trailed by one at the half.  The teams would then exchange leads in the second half until Eral Penn's three-pointer at 6:32 put the Blackbirds ahead for good, and ultimately on course towards a nine point first round triumph.

The Pioneers shot just (2/19) 10% from beyond the arc, and just (23/63) 36.5% from the field.  The Blackbirds were (23/53) 43.4% from the field and a difference making (11/24) 45.8% on three-point attempts.

Meanwhile, St. Francis University dispatched the (#8) Bryant University Bulldogs by a 69-66 margin to set up Saturday's upcoming showdown against LIU at Degol Arena.

The two teams split their regular season series, with neither team defending home court:

• 1/10/2019 - SFU 74 @ LIU 67
• 2/23/2019 - LIU 69 @ SFU 66

Fairleigh Dickinson University squares off against Robert Morris in the other semifinal game.

Brooooklyn!

34-33 (.507)

#7 - Eastern Conference

Brooklyn Nets: Surviving the Approaching Ides of March.

Flatbush elevated their record back over .500 with Wednesday's 113-107 victory over Cleveland.  But with a mere 15 games left in the regular season, the Nets difficult  schedule ahead stands poised to test their staying power.  While they've managed to outlast and even outplay numerous injuries compromising the starting lineup, Kenny Atkinson for the first time in many moons features a full compliment of players again.  Just in time too ... as the Nets find themselves embroiled in a playoff chase.  That said, if we're keeping this conversation within the context of a rebuilding season, then Flatbush indeed has already exceeded expectations.  And for better or worse, what stands before them will prove an invaluable experience.

Starting with Saturday's upcoming game at Atlanta, eight of Brooklyn's next nine games are on the road, where the Nets boast a sub-par 14-17 mark.

THE IDES of MARCH

• 3/11- DETROIT
• 3/13 - @ Oklahoma City
• 3/16 - @ Utah
• 3/17 - @ LAC

They'll continue their western swing against Sacramento, LAL, and Portland, before returning east to play the Sixers at Philadelphia.  After which, the Nets wind down their regular season having to face each of the the Eastern Conference powers presently positioned ahead of them in the standings.

Nothing is ever easy in Brooklyn.

#GoHard