BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU men's basketball team beat Saint Francis U. in its home opener Thursday night, 78-75. After jumping out to an early lead, the Sharks saw SFU rally back to take the lead at half time, but LIU would prevail, beating the Red Flash late in the game.
 
SHARK BITES

• The game got off to a slow start, but once the Sharks started, they continued in style. LIU would go on a 19-2 run over seven minutes, taking the lead, 19-4. They shot 57 percent from the field in that span, and had six steals.
• But in the final six and a half minutes of the first half, SFU shot 80 percent from the field, and led 39-38 at the break.
• The second half was closer, and SFU would hang on to the lead. But LIU took the lead back at 11:30 on a three from Alex Rivera, and held on from there to win.
• Senior Ty Flowers would make two free throws with nine seconds left to seal the win for LIU.
• Flowers finished the game with 21 points, nine rebounds, seven steals, four assists and three blocks.
• Junior Jermaine Jackson Jr. added 15 points, going 4-9 from long range. He also had four assists, three rebounds and a steal.
• Sophomore Tre Wood added 14 points and four assists, shooting 7-for-11 from the field.
• Junior Eral Penn had his first double double of the season, with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and an assist.
• The Sharks forced SFU into 27 turnovers, the most for an LIU opponent since CCSU had 25 in February of 2019.
• Up next, LIU will take on the Red Flash in a rematch, Friday, January 8 at 4 p.m.