BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU men's basketball team bounced back in a big way Thursday afternoon in the Steinberg Wellness Center. Less than 24 hours after falling to the Warriors by just five points, the Sharks rallied and beat Merrimack, 78-68.

LIU was led by a career-high 24 points from junior Eral Penn, who also had 11 rebounds and four steals.
 
SHARK BITES

• The Sharks led wire-to-wire in the contest.
• LIU jumped out to a 5-0 lead right after tip off, and Merrimack called a timeout. After Merrimack came back to close the gap to 8-5, LIU went on a 17-4 run and led, 25-9 at 7:58. LIU would continue to widen that lead, and had a 42-25 advantage at the break.
• LIU continued to stymy Merrimack in the second half. Midway through the period, the Sharks would string together a 9-0 run that put them up, 61-36 with 11:13 to play. But LIU's widest lead of the game wouldn't even come until seven minutes later.
• A layup by junior Jack Ballantyne and a jumper from junior Virshon Cotton would put the Sharks ono topo, 76-50 with 3:52 to play.
• Over the final four minutes, Merrimack would make up some of the distance when LIU pulled its starters, but the Sharks' lead was too big, and the home team took the victory, 78-68.
• With the win, LIU moved to 5-3 in Northeast Conference action.
• Eral Penn led LIU with a career-high 24 points, shooting a near-perfect 10-for-12 from the field. He also had 11 rebounds, four steals, a block and an assist in the win.
• Senior Ty Flowers had 16 points for the Sharks, along with a team-high six assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block.
• Junior Virshon Cotton had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win, along with two assists.
• Sophomore Alex Rivera chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Sharks.
• Up next, LIU takes part in the 46th Annual Battle of Brooklyn. The Sharks will face off against the Terriers of St. Francis Brooklyn, Saturday, January 30 at 4 p.m., in a game that will air on both ESPN3 and SNY.