Brookville, NY - Sophomore Jared Rivers' career-high 41 points helped the LIU Post men's basketball build a lead that grew to as many as 20, but Post University stormed back to come within three points as the Pioneers sealed a 91-88 triumph over Post University on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
- Final Score: LIU Post 91, Post University 88
- Records: LIU Post (1-3), Post University (1-3)
- Location: Brookville, NY
- Arena: Pratt Recreation Center
- SJC Starters: Rivers (G), Bibens (G), McLeggan (G) Ortiz-Traylor (F), Doucette (F)
Turning Point
- After seeing a 20-point second-half lead diminish to three, the Eagles sent the Pioneers to the charity stripe three times over the final 30 seconds. Rivers sank two at the line with 0:09 to give LIU Post a 91-86 lead, after a made Eagles' three-pointer, and with the Pioneers having possession and the shot clock turned off, Post's Tyler Desrosiers intercepted a pass from the right corner and with two ticks left shot the contested three and hit the rim as the Pioneers escaped with a 91-88 lead.
How it Happened
- Rivers scored nine quick points, and Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor added three as they combined for two treys over the first four minutes to race out to a 14-11 lead and never looked back.
- Rivers' fifth three-pointer of the half gave the Pioneers a 43-30 lead with three minutes left in the first, but a 7-2 run by the Eagles reduced their deficit to a single-digit margin with LIU Post leading 45-37 at the half.
- LIU Post appeared to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second stanza. The Pioneers opened the second with a 10-2 run that increased the advantage to 58-39 at 16:45 and took their largest lead of the game (63-43) with 15:32 left to play.
- With the Pioneers lead remaining in double figures for most of the period, Post made a late push behind nine points from Desrosiers that sparked a 20-5 run to cut the Eagles deficit to three points (89-86) with 0:12 remaining.
- After a made layup by Post, and with the full-court press, Desrosiers was able to intercept the inbounding pass and had a good look at a 24-footer from the wing to tie at the buzzer, but it would be just short, and the Pioneers would survive the late scare.
For the Pioneers
- Sophomore Jared Rivers led all scorers with a career-high 41 points on a career-best 15-of-21 shooting and 8-of-12 from behind the arc, also establishing a career-high and was one trey shy of the Pioneer record.
- Senior Aary Bibens finished with 13 points, gathered eight rebounds, and dished out five assists in the win.
- Freshman Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor directed the offense with eight points and blocked two shots.
Inside the Box Score
- After Jared Rivers' three-point basket with 5:13 to play, the Pioneers did not have a field goal until Justin Powell's jumper at 1:51.
- Both teams combined for 24 three-pointers with the hosts draining 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) and the Eagles sinking 8-of-19 (42.1 percent)
- Both squads combined a total of 21 turnovers and converted it into 16 points.
Next up for LIU Post
Riding their first win of the season, the Pioneers travel to take on Georgian Court in Lakewood, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Follow the action here.