"Top-seeded Long Island University, coached by longtime NBA guard and native New Yorker Rod Strickland, beat seventh-seeded Wagner 64-56 in the Northeast Conference semifinals to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight seasons. The semifinal at the Steinberg Wellness Center, just off of famed Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and only a few blocks from where the Nets play at the Barclays Center, turned into the most important game of the conference tournament."
"Greg Gordon scored 19 to lead the Sharks (23-10) and Shadrak Lasu made a key 3 as the shot clock expired with 2:26 left that put LIU up 58-50. Gordon, the defensive player of the year in the NEC, also stole an inbounds pass with 28 seconds left that helped seal the victory."
"Mercyhurst will play at LIU on Tuesday in the NEC title game, but because the Lakers are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, the bid goes to LIU regardless of the result. Mercyhurst is in its second season as a member of the NEC since moving up from Division II. NCAA rules require a two-year transition period for schools moving up, during which the school is not eligible for the postseason."
Long Island University secured the Northeast Conference's automatic NCAA Tournament bid by defeating Wagner 64-56 in the NEC semifinals at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn. Coach Rod Strickland led the top-seeded Sharks to victory, with Greg Gordon scoring 19 points and making crucial defensive plays. LIU clinched the automatic bid regardless of the conference championship outcome because third-seeded Mercyhurst, who won their semifinal, remains ineligible for the NCAA Tournament due to their two-year transition period following their move from Division II. This marks LIU's first tournament appearance in eight seasons.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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