FORT MYERS, Fla. — LIU opened eyes on Tuesday against South Dakota.
 
The Sharks fell to the Coyotes by a narrow margin, 68-58. They led for a total of 20:17.
 
In a tight first half, the Sharks started slow but were within five at the under 12 media timeout. A Noble Crawford steal and dunk and a Marko Maletic three tied the game at 10 with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
 
LIU took its first lead with a Quion Burns triple at the 8:08 mark.
 
At the half, the Sharks led by six. Maletic led all scorers with 11. The offense was able to generate 19 of its 31 points off Coyotes turnovers.
 
The second half showed more of the same control in the paint. Cheikh Ndiaye and Jake Cook each produced highlight plays at the rim to maintain the Sharks lead.
 
The Coyotes regained the lead at the 8:40 mark, but a quick, 5-0 spurt gave LIU the lead back after a three from Maletic and a midrange jumper from Ndiaye.
 
LIU trimmed the deficit to six under a minute to play, but South Dakota pulled away in the closing moments.
 
Maletic, the London, Ont. native, led the team in scoring in his third consecutive game with 19 points. R.J. Greene played 38 minutes and totaled 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
The Sharks will face Northern Illinois in the Palms Division third place game on Wednesday at 11 a.m.