SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The LIU men's basketball team finished the regular season on the road Friday, falling to Bryant, 63-60. The Sharks, who finish the year 9-9 in Northeast Conference action, failed to qualify for the NEC's reduced postseason field, and wrap up their season in Smithfield.
 
SHARK BITES

• The game was close from the start, but LIU would take a promising lead at 15:55, when a layup from Eral Penn gave LIU a 10-9 lead. A layup 50 seconds later from junior Virshon Cotton would make it 12-9 in favor of the Sharks, but Bryant retook the lead just two minutes later.
• LIU would again extend the lead to as many as five in the first half, but couldn't hold on to it, and Bryant battled back to take the halftime lead, 39-36.
• The second half stayed close, until tied 45-45, LIU started to mount a run. Over a three minute period, the Sharks outscored the Bulldogs, 10-0, including four points from freshman Kyndall Davis and junior Jermaine Jackson Jr. The spree gave LIU a 55-45 lead with 9:05 to play.
• LIU held on to the lead from there, and built on it, and with 6:34 to play, led by 13 points, 59-47.
• But that lead started to slip away, and in the final six minutes, Bryant would force multiple LIU turnovers, and outscore the Sharks, 16-1. LIU strugged, going 0-7 from the field in that span, as Bryant rallied to tie it up in the final minute, and make three late free throws to take the win, 63-60.
• LIU's last shot attempt looked good, but it didn't fall, and the Sharks' season came to a close.
• The Sharks were led by three players in double figures. Junior Eral Penn led LIU in scoring, with 16 points, along with eight rebounds. Senior Ty Flowers had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while sophomore Alex Rivera had 10 points and four rebounds.