(boxscore)
 2/18/06 --
Freshman Tyrone Mattison (Ontario, Canada) led four players
in double figures with 17 points to boost Long Island University
to a 72-60 triumph over St. Francis (PA) on Saturday afternoon
at the Wellness Recreation and Athletic Center. The Blackbirds
(10-14, 7-8 Northeast Conference) rallied to post their sixth
victory in the past nine games.
Sophomore Eugene Kotorobai added 12 points, going 2-of-3
from 3-point range. Juniors James Williams and Esa Maki-Tulokas
added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
A strong second half surge proved to be the difference as
LIU overcame a 42-38 halftime disadvantage. The Blackbirds
used a 20-5 run to take a 58-47 lead with 12:41 remaining.
Mattison assisted on three of LIU’s seven field goals
and scored seven points during the spurt, having a hand in
every field goal but one.
The Red Flash closed to four (63-59) with 5:08 on the clock
following a jumper by T.J. Lundy but could get no closer.
The Blackbirds answered as Williams converted a follow-up
and a steal and subsequent lay-up to quickly push the lead
to 67-59 with 3:07 remaining.
LIU commenced the game with a 13-2 run capped off by a floater
by freshman Donovin McLendon at the 14:33 mark. The visitors
chipped away at the lead taking it over with 26-14 tear on
a lay-up by Jelani Lawrence with five minutes to play before
the half. The Red Flash led by as many as nine (42-33) before
LIU closed to four, behind two field goals from Kotorobai
the last 30 seconds of the stanza.
The Blackbirds travel to Central Connecticut State on Wednesday,
February 22 for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
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