LIU will be a team to be reckoned with in the NEC Tournament

Teaneck, NJ – It was going to be a busy night for Derek Kellogg and his Long Island University team. One that would not end until well past midnight. A four to five hour bus ride to Loretto (Pa.) was in order. Before taking to Route 80 there was the task of facing FDU at Rothman Center. A tall order making that long bus trip seem a joy ride in comparison. Battling head to head for the full forty minutes, LIU prevailed 86-81 over the Knights on Friday evening. A hotly contested Northeast Conference game- the type synonymous and so march a part of this competitive league.
“It was two teams battling for position (in the standings),” Kellogg said after the contest. “Two teams putting it all out there. To come in here and defeat a team like FDU says a lot.” The manner in which it was accomplished also speaks volumes regarding LIU. This is a team not to be written off when the NEC post season tournament, a couple weeks forward, ushers in March Madness.
The Sharks led 37-35 at the half. The opening four minutes saw FDU go on a run to open a seven point lead. During that stretch Kellogg picked up a technical and number one option Raiquan Clark picked up his fourth personal. The visitors seemed to be flustered and in disarray. Momentum seemed to smile on the host team.
LIU, though, quickly dug in and regrouped. After a brief respite, Clark reentered the game. As the three point shooting picked up, the floor suddenly opened up for the 6’6” Clark. “He (Clark) basically won the game for us,” Kellogg praised.
In the final twenty seconds, clinging to a one point lead and the shot clock expiring, Julian Batts buried a crowd silencing three pointer. The dagger.
LIU showed they are with a number of options In this victory. Ty Flowers, at 6’9” scored twenty points while adding a game high fourteen rebounds. Flowers has the ability and ‘green light’ to shoot from outside. The previously mentioned Clark, dangerous inside or on the perimeter, added twenty. Jermaine Jackson jr., “more of a scoring point guard,” per Kellogg, played a vital role,. A sophomore, Jackson jr. is filling in for sidelined senior lead guard Jashuan Agosto. Jackson jr. scored a team high twenty one points. Burying a number of crucial long range shots- finishing 5 of 9 beyond the arc. Virshon Cotton, provided another option at the guard spot adding sixteen points.
The talent is there to make a run. On this night LIU put another intangible on display. “This team just clawed back in,” Kellogg said, “ and all night battled through adversity. “
The NEC post season sees all its games contested on the home floor of the higher seed. One would prefer to ‘hold serve’ and enjoy the comforts at home. Evidenced by this win. if need be, LIU would be as comfortable taking to the road.