BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Long Island University men's basketball (22-10, 15-3 NEC) overcame a late Chicago State University rally to advance in the NEC Men's Basketball Tournament on Wednesday night, defeating the Cougars 79-75 in Brooklyn. 

Wednesday's first half saw three lead changes early in the game, though LIU pulled away to a seven-point 40-33 lead entering halftime thanks to a three-pointer by junior Jomo Goings and a dunk by senior Greg Gordon in the final minute of the first half. Junior Mason Porter-Brown, who made his sixth start of the season on Wednesday night, led the Sharks with 12 points through the first 20 minutes of action. 

While LIU never trailed in the second half, Chicago State cut the Shark lead to one point on four different occasions, three of which came in the final 6:06 of the game. Despite the late Cougar comeback attempt, graduate student Jamal Fuller helped seal the eventual LIU victory by drawing a Cougar offensive foul with 12 seconds remaining, later connecting on a pair of free throws to push the lead to two possessions. 

Porter-Brown paced the Sharks with 21 points, while Fuller (15 points), Goings (14), and sophomore Shadrak Lasu all finished in double figures. Gordon collected seven rebounds, while redshirt senior Malachi Davis assisted on six baskets.  

LIU returns to the court on Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. to host No. 7 seed Wagner College in the semifinals of the NEC Men's Basketball Tournament. Tickets are available, HERE.