Aubin Scott's Jumper Lifts Men's Basketball to 74-69 Triumph over St. Francis (NY)

(boxscore)

1/12/05 -- Junior Aubin Scott (Hempstead, N.Y.) scored six points in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead jumper with 75 seconds left, and sophomore James Williams (DeSoto, Texas) provided two critical defensive plays for Long Island University in a 74-69 Northeast Conference victory over St. Francis (NY) at Schwartz Center.

In a second half which featured 13 lead changes, Ruandy Melo gave the Terriers (5-7, 1-2 NEC) a 66-64 lead on a jumper with 2:20 left. But Scott was on the spot for the Blackbirds, nailing a 10-footer with 1:59 remaining for a 66-66 tie.

Williams stole the ball on the next possession from Tristan Smith to give LIU (6-7, 3-1) a chance for the lead. Scott took a feed from Williams on the right side and drilled the go-ahead jumper just inside the 3-point arc for a 68-66 cushion.

Williams continued his defensive mastery by stealing a pass from Melo and racing down the court for a layup to give LIU a 70-66 lead with 38 seconds remaining. Tori Cavalieri tied a career high with seven 3-pointers for the second straight game, his last coming with 23 seconds left to bring the Terriers within one.

Williams made two free throws with 20 seconds remaining to give LIU a 72-69 lead. Sophomore Allan Sheppard, who poured in a career-high and team season-high 27 points, looked to extend that total but missed a potential tying 3-pointer. Scott grabbed the rebound and hit a pair of free throws with two seconds left for the Blackbirds, who shot a blistering 64 percent (16-of-25) from the floor in the second half and 54 percent (26-of-48) overall.

Williams poured in 19 points, senior Derek Bell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored 14, Scott netted 10 and freshman Paulius Morkeliunas (Kaunas, Lithuania) tied a season high with 10 for LIU.

Cavalieri, who hit seven 3-pointers in the Terriers’ last contest Saturday against Central Connecticut State, scored 25 points to fall one shy of his career best from November 23 against St. John’s. His effort helped St. Francis (NY) shoot 44 percent (24-of-55) from the field and 9-of-18 from 3-point range.

LIU looks to notch a sweep of its three-game homestand Saturday against Monmouth. Tip-off is at 4:00 pm.