Long Island University secured a 66-59 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson at the Bogota Savings Bank Center, led by a strong performance from Greg Gordon. The Sharks' forward scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while also receiving significant contributions from Malachi Davis and Jomo Goings, who added 15 and 13 points respectively.
The first half saw Long Island University take control, scoring 31 points to Fairleigh Dickinson's 25. The Knights struggled to find their rhythm, but Eric Parnell kept them within striking distance, scoring 9 of his 15 points in the period. As the half drew to a close, Long Island University's defense held strong, limiting Fairleigh Dickinson's scoring opportunities and maintaining their 6-point advantage.
In the second half, Fairleigh Dickinson pushed hard to close the gap, with Arthur Cox and Joey Niesman combining for 17 points. However, Long Island University's offense continued to click, with Gordon and Davis leading the charge. The Sharks' balanced attack allowed them to maintain their lead, and they eventually emerged with a 7-point victory.
The win was a reflection of Long Island University's resilience and depth, as they were able to overcome a solid effort from Fairleigh Dickinson. The Knights' Eric Parnell had a strong game, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Sharks' collective effort. With the victory, Long Island University improved to 12-8 on the season, while Fairleigh Dickinson fell to 7-14.
This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. As a Q4 game for both teams, the outcome will be viewed as a neutral result, neither significantly helping nor hurting their chances. For Long Island University, the win keeps them on track, but they must continue to perform well in their remaining games to boost their tournament prospects. Fairleigh Dickinson, on the other hand, want to regroup and try to string together some wins to improve their standing.
The victory for Long Island University is a positive addition to their resume, but it will not drastically alter their tournament chances. They must continue to accumulate quality wins and avoid bad losses to stay in the conversation. With a current net ranking of 202, Long Island University still has work to do to secure a spot in the tournament. The win over Fairleigh Dickinson is a step in the right direction, but the Sharks must remain focused and motivated as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.