BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After playing half a mile away at the Barclays Center on Thursday, LIU men's basketball returned to its home court to face Sacred Heart in a rematch of the 2021 NEC quarterfinals.
 
The Sharks fell, 82-64, and moved to 2-12 overall and 0-2 in conference.
 
LIU raced to the first media timeout with a 12-9 lead, thanks to fast break buckets from Marko Maletic and R.J. Greene. They did not lead again after going up, 25-24.
 
After missing 16 free throws against Wagner on Thursday, the percentage drastically improved in the first half. The team shot 9-11 from the charity stripe in the first half but trailed, 41-30.
 
The team finished shooting 37% from the floor and was just 2-18 from three-point range, their lowest mark in a game this season.
 
Jacob Johnson had a steady attack (7-13 FG) and led the team with 18 points. He also pulled down three rebounds. Cheikh Ndiaye added seven points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench.
 
The Sharks embark on a three-game road stretch with the first of three at Central Connecticut State on Thursday, January 5 at 7 p.m.