BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU men's basketball team kept their playoff hopes alive Saturday evening in the Steinberg Wellness Center, beating Central Connecticut State, 87-74. With the win, LIU is now 8-7 in league action, and in playoff contention. The total team win saw four Sharks in double digit scoring, including senior Ty Flowers and junior Eral Penn, who both had double doubles.
 
SHARK BITES

• LIU led wire-to-wire in the contest, opening the game on a 9-3 run. But CCSU, despite being undermanned, continued to fight back, closing the lead to two points more than once. The Blue Devils came as close as one, 22-21 at 10:24.
• That would be the theme for much of the game. Though the Sharks would lead the entire time, the Blue Devils continued to battle, keeping LIU on its toes. The Sharks led, 43-36 at the half, but CCSU put together a 9-2 run early in the second half, cutting the lead to two again, 47-45.
• Though LIU would lead by as many as 15 in the second half, the Blue Devils would also cut the lead down to as few as five points. The Sharks were not allowed to pull back until the final minute of action, and took the win, 87-74.
• CCSU, who dressed only seven players, still out-stole LIU, 13-9.
• The Sharks had 26 assists in the game, the second highest total for the team this year.
• LIU was led by senior Ty Flowers, who had 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Junior Eral Penn also had a double double, with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
• Junior Jermaine Jackson Jr. had 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while junior Virshon Cotton had 15 points (including three three pointers), six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
• Sophomore Alex Rivera and Kyndall Davis both added eight points. Rivera also tied the team high with seven assists and five boards in the win.
• Up next, the Sharks take on CCSU again, Sunday, February 21 at 4 p.m.