LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: March Madness Begins Now

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NCAA TOURNAMENT

 *  *  THE FIRST FOUR  *  *

EAST REGION @ DAYTON, OHIO

#16 LIU Brooklyn 

BLACKBIRDS

Northeast Champions ~ (18-16)

vs.

#16 Radford University 

HIGHLANDERS

Big South Champions ~ (22-12)

Tuesday, March 13, 6:40pm

The winner faces #1 Villanova Wildcats @ Pittsburgh.

These team previously faced each other only once in their respective history during the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 19, 2011 in which LIU emerged victoriously by a convincing 81-59 final margin of victory.

This is the Blackbirds seventh ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, and their first since getting knocked out of the First Four round in 2013 by the James Madison Dukes.  They are yet to win a tourney game in six previous attempts.  The Blackbirds nevertheless enter Tuesday's game winners of five straight, including their most recent upset over top seeded Wagner in the NEC Final.  They were 5-11 on the road this season, and split two games at neutral sites.  Joel Hernandez is LIU leading scorer, averaging 20.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.  He averages 46 percent shooting from the field, and 38 percent three point range.

Radford is making third ever trip to the dance, and their first since 2009.  They are presently in the midst of a seven game winning streak.  The Highlanders are 7-10 road, and 4-0 at neutral sites.  Ed Polite Jr. is the team's leading scorer, averaging 13.5 points per game, and 7.7 rebounds.

TeamRankings.com 

LIU Brooklyn Bracketology Projection

BROOKLYN BLACKBIRDS STARTING FIVE

Julian Batts ~ Julius Van Sauer ~ Raiquan Clark ~ Joel Hernandez ~ Jashaun Agosto

GO BROOKLYN

GO BLACKBIRDS

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds Turn Away Stony Brook

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Would the owner of a blue and red bus blocking traffic

at the intersection of Church Avenue and Flatbush Avenue please move!

FINAL

Stony Brook     71

LIU/Brooklyn  75

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Flatbush Wins Second Straight; Remain Unbeaten At Home.

With Monday's victory over Stony Brook, the LIU Blackbirds improved to 3-3 over their last six games, and 4-6 overall.  Better yet, they've won two straight, and are now 3-0 at home.

Despite trailing 34-38 at halftime, LIU outscored the visiting Seawolves 41-33 in the second half to come away with a 75-71 victory.

A pair of Joel Hernandez free throws put the Blackbirds up by seven with seven minutes left to play.  But a Stony Brook steal and a dunk at the other end tied the score 65-65 with three and a half minutes to go.  Raiquan Clark would later scored on a fast break at the 2:01 mark off a defensive rebound by Julian Batts to put LIU ahead for good.  Jashaun Agosto's three with 0:15 second left would ultimately seal the deal for Brooklyn.

Both teams shot an identical 6/17 (35%) from beyond the three, both scored 42 points in the paint, and both committed 18 turnovers.  The Seawolves pulled down just one more rebound than did the Blackbirds, but outpaced the Blackbirds 21-13 on points off turnovers. 

LIU maintained their composure and closed out the Seawolves by converting five of eight free throw attempts over the final three minutes.

Coach Kellogg ran a tight ship again, going with an eight man rotation for the second time in LIU's last three games.  Four Blackbirds logged over thirty minutes. 

Joel Hernandez led all scorers with 23 points, while Julian Batts led the floor with nine rebounds.  Raiquan Clark added 20 points and six rebounds.

Sophomore forward Julius Van Sauers scored 16 points and secured six rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench.  He was 6/7 from the floor, connected on a three, and was a perfect 3/3 from the line.

*

After a well deserved break, the Blackbirds will resume play with two games at Barclays Center against Fairfield University and Saint Peter's University.