HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY.—  The LIU men's basketball team was on the hunt for the NKU Thanksgiving Tournament championship on Saturday when it took on host Northern Kentucky.
 
The Sharks led by six at halftime thanks to some great play by Eric Acker, Tai Strickland and R.J. Greene. The second half was more of a battle as the Horizon League favorites started to get in a groove while LIU got into some foul trouble.
 
Tied at 55 late in the second half, Northern Kentucky went on a 9-0 run that the Sharks tried to come back from but time ran out. LIU dropped the game 72-64, finishing the tournament with a 1-1 record.
 
Tai Strickland had another great game, leading LIU with 18 points while adding three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
 
Freshman standout Eric Acker battled through an injury in the second half but still finished the game with 13 points, four assists, one rebound and one steal.
 
R.J. Greene led the way for the Sharks on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds while also scoring eight points.
 
Tana Kopa poured in 14 points, shooting 4-7 from three.
 
The Sharks return to the court on Dec. 2 when they travel to Miami to take on FIU.