BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  The LIU men's basketball team continued NEC play on Sunday night when they welcomed Central Connecticut State to town.
 
From the start, the game was a back-and-forth battle. In the first half, neither team could sustain a lead as it seemed whenever one would try and pull away, the other would fight back with good defense and a big shot. The game was tied at 32 as it went into halftime.
 
In the second half it was even more of a battle between the Sharks and Blue Devils. Tana Kopa caught fire and kept LIU in the game. With four minutes left, the Sharks led by one until foul trouble and a cold streak got in the way. CCSU would make their free throws as LIU fell 72-63, bringing its conference record to 2-3.
 
Kopa had his best game of the season, scoring a team-high 24 points on 10-16 shooting. He also recorded five rebounds and three assists.
 
Tai Strickland (13 points) and R.J. Greene (seven points) were tied for the team lead in rebounds with six a piece. Strickland also led LIU with six assists.
 
The Sharks return to the court Thursday when Stonehill comes to town at 7 p.m.