BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  The LIU men's basketball team hosted Saint Francis U on Saturday night, looking to get closer to .500 in NEC play.
 
The Sharks came out firing with baskets from Tana Kopa, Eric Acker and Andre Washington early. For the first time all season, the Sharks led wire-to-wire. LIU came out victorious 70-67 in a tight ballgame.
 
Kopa had one of his best games of the season, scoring a team-high 19 points while recording three rebounds, three steals and five assists.
 
Washington had a really nice game coming off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds.
 
Jason Steele had a career-high 10 rebounds and scored six points.
 
While it doesn't look like he lit up the scoreboard, Tai Strickland had eight points with some clutch buckets and led the Sharks in assists with eight.
 
With the win, LIU moves to 4-5 in NEC play and sixth place in the standings. The Sharks return to the court Thursday when they travel to Merrimack at 7 p.m.