BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Daquan Davis scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead LIU men's basketball to an 86-77 exhibition win at UMBC on Oct. 11, giving the reigning NEC champions a strong showing ahead of the regular season.

Vasean Allette added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tyrell Bowles scored 15 points and Jahki Howard finished with 12, giving the Sharks four players in double figures. The four combined for 71 points.

LIU enters the season under reigning NEC Coach of the Year Rod Strickland, who begins his fifth year leading the program. After guiding the Sharks to an NEC championship and a 20-win campaign, Strickland has added 13 newcomers to the roster.

The Sharks were picked to finish first in the NEC preseason coaches' poll for the second consecutive year, receiving seven of nine first-place votes.

Allette, Davis and Howard earned preseason All-NEC honors, giving LIU three of the five selections. The trio brings experience from programs including TCU, Florida State, Providence, Auburn and Utah. Their recognition gives the Sharks both the conference's top preseason ranking and its largest group of preseason All-NEC selections.

LIU opens the regular season at Florida Atlantic on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. The Sharks then visit Seton Hall on Nov. 5 and La Salle on Nov. 7 as part of a five-game road stretch to begin the season.

The home opener is Monday, Nov. 16, against St. Thomas at 7 p.m. at the Brooklyn Athletic Center.