Men's Basketball Prevails, 82-58, Over Robert Morris in Final Game at Schwartz Center

(boxscore)

2/24/05 -- Long Island University used an offensive onslaught and standout defense during a huge run bridging both halves as it won the final regular season game at Schwartz Center, an 82-58 Northeast Conference triumph over Robert Morris.

Many former players, coaches and administrators were on hand for the last contest at the former Paramount Theatre, which served as the home to the likes of Mae West, Bing Crosby, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cantor and the Alan Freed Rock ‘n’ Roll show from 1928-62. The theater was converted to a court prior to the 1963-64 season and has served as the Blackbirds’ home the last 42 campaigns.

The Paramount will give way next fall to the Athletic, Recreation and Wellness Center. The $40 million, 100,000 square-foot providing state-of-the-art athletic facilities for students and other members of the Campus community is slated to open for the beginning of the basketball season in October.

Halftime provided a special moment as former basketball standout Albie Grant posthumously became the first Blackbird to have his number retired. Grant, who played on the Brooklyn campus from 1963-66, will have his number 13 jersey hanging in the new building.

Freshman Randy Jones (West Palm Beach, Fla.) scored a career-high 22 points along with four 3-pointers to pace four players in double figures. Sophomore James Williams (DeSoto, Texas) netted 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting for LIU (12-14, 9-8 NEC), which shot 52 percent (16-of-31) from the floor in the second half. Sophomore Esa Maki-Tulokas (Forssa, Finland) scored 13 points, junior Aubin Scott (Hempstead, N.Y.) contributed 10 and senior Derek Bell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) grabbed 10 rebounds to help LIU own a 47-33 edge.

The Blackbirds pulled away with a 24-3 run bridging both halves over 8 1/2 minutes to open a 49-26 lead with 16:38 remaining as Maki-Tulokas scored six points. LIU held Robert Morris (12-14, 9-7) without a basket for over eight minutes spanning both halves and to just 24 percent (7-of-29) shooting after intermission.

LIU, which led by as many as 29, achieved its greatest conference win total since posting 12 in 2000-01 and its nine home victories is its highest since the same season. The Blackbirds are in a fifth-place tie with St. Francis (PA) and still have a shot of hosting an NEC Tournament quarterfinal game. The top four seeds earn that honor.

Mark Anderson had 17 points and 10 rebounds with Chaz McCrommon adding 15 points for the Colonials, who shot 28 percent (16-of-57) overall, 6-of-22 from 3-point range and are tied for third in the NEC with St. Francis (NY).

LIU closes the regular season Saturday, February 26 at Mount St. Mary’s. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm.