The men’s basketball team is still looking for its first NEC road victory of the season after a 70-67 loss at LIU on Feb. 3. The contest featured several game-altering runs.
After a back and forth first 10 minutes, LIU went on an 11-1 run to take the game from a tie to a 10-point advantage.
Saint Francis responded, however, holding the Sharks scoreless for the final two minutes of the half before ultimately ending the half with a Bobby Rosenberger three-pointer at the buzzer to draw SFU within six, 37-31.
Saint Francis was able to take the momentum they had going into the half and stretch it into the second period of play, eventually tying the game.
The seven-minute stretch from the end of the first half to the start of the second saw a 13-2 run from Saint Francis that tied the game up. During this run, the team showed the resiliency that has been on display all season.
LIU would match that run, however, with a 22-11 stretch of its own to take a firm grip on the game with six and a half minutes remaining. Saint Francis would respond with a final rally, getting within three before a desperation offensive rebound attempt off a free throw fell short, giving LIU the 70-67 victory.
Rosenberger lead the Red Flash in scoring with 16 points.
With the loss, Saint Francis drops to 7-16 overall and 2-7 in conference play. SFU sits in eighth place in the league and has a huge home matchup with ninth-place Stonehill on Saturday.
The top eight teams in the league advance to next month’s NEC Tournament.
The game against the Skyhawks tips off this Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Stokes Center.
