Teaneck, NJ – Friday night Northeast Conference action. Another night that did not disappoint as LIU and FDU squared off at the Rothman Center. At stake was a lot more than getting in the win column to establish momentum into the regular season’s final week. Tournament seedings and a home game that comes with being in the top four was also in the balance. True to form, in the Northeast Conference anything can happen, and usually does. The observations:
The Knights got out of the gate taking an early 8-2 lead. The difference soon increased to double digits as FDU stayed aggressive on the boards and pushed the pace in transition. On the defensive end the Knights paid strict attention to LIU leading scorer Raiquan Clark. The 6’6” senior struggled to get a good look those early minutes.
LIU was able to get the deficit down to one possession on the strength of three point shooting. At the four minute time out the Sharks were 5 of 9 (56 percent) from beyond the arc. Strangely enough, LIU was 25 percent (2 of 8) from the charity stripe.
LIU continued to fire away- and hit. The Sharks closed strong, taking a 38-35 lead into intermission.
Possessions: 40
Offensive efficiency: LIU 95, FDU 88
LIU ‘improved’ to 30 percent from the line (3-10). From downtown they were 7 of 12 for 58 percent. Go figure.
Jermaine Jackson jr. of LIU did most of the offensive damage, burying four treys en route to a game high 14 points at intermission.
Those all important first four minutes of the second half appeared to be a game changer. And a wild stretch to boot. LIU matched their field goal total (one) with technical fouls. FDU outscored the Sharks, largely due to the play of Kaleb Bishop, 11-3 to take a seven point lead into the 16 minute media time out. During that stretch LIU coach Derek Kellogg picked up a technical. To top it off, Clark picked up foul number four.
LIU regrouped, not allowing FDU to gain significant separation. Every time the Knights looked to get the lead to double digits, LIU answered with a three pointer, or two. Kellogg also made a gursy coaching decision. Feeling it might be ‘now or never’ he put Clark back in the lineup before the twelve minute media time out.
The next few minutes teams trade leads. Neither able to sustain momentum to open up as much as a two possession lead.
Baseball had Pete Rose as ‘Mr. Hustle’. For FDU, junior guard Jahlil Jenkins fits that description.
The under four minute time out sees LIU holding a 74-73 lead. Somehow this game has overtime written all over it.
With a lot at stake in the conference standing, both coaches, Kellogg and FDU’s Greg Herenda, are intense, ‘debating’ a number of calls.
Ahead a point just under twenty seconds left with the shot clock running down, Julian Batts of LIU buries a deep three. The proverbial ‘dagger’. No overtime necessary.
Possessions: 81
Offensive efficiency: LIU 106, FDU 100
Records: LIU 1315 (8-7 NEC)
FDU 8-18 (6-9 NEC)
Leading scorers: LIU Tym Flowers, Raiquan Clark 20
FDU: Jahlil Jenkins 25- the FDU backcourt standout logged 39 minutes, gabbing 5 rebounds, handing out 6 assists and igniting the break.
The game featured 11 lead changes and 5 ties.
LIU shot 12 of 27 (44 percent) from three. Their three point shooting ultimately opened things up allowing Clark to get going that second half. They did improve from the line and actually iced the game from the charity stripe. The free throw numbers- 16 of 29 for 62 percent.
Aftermath:
“Too many times you watch a game and a kid picks up his second foul and is removed. It was a chance with Clark in and four fouls but I want him to play. He was a big reason we pulled this out.” – LIU coach Derek Kellogg
“Typical battle between two programs that won recent Northeast Conference titles. We have Robert Morris on Sunday but if they moved the game to Saturday, I’m ready, let’s go. Our kids are competitors and can’t wait to get back out on the court.” – FDU coach Greg Herenda
