Bobby V. Doesn’t Show Up, But the Blackbirds Finally Do Against Sacred Heart

Last night at LIU Brooklyn’s Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center, the Sacred Heart men’s basketball team faced off against the Blackbirds.

Sacred Heart—which this week announced that former Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers manager Bobby Valentine will take over their athletic director position in July—had more important things in play then their new AD. The Pioneers came to Brooklyn desperately seeking a win to keep alive their faint Northeast Conference playoff hopes.

The Blackbirds made sure they didn’t get it.

“Bobby V,” as Valentine is affectionately known among the cadre of Mets fans who still relish his tenure in New York, didn't show, but Sacred Heart’s all-world shooting guard Shane Gibson did and nearly brought down the house before LIU held on for a heart-stopping 70-68 decision.

Gibson dropped 25 points on the Blackbirds, and would have taken the Pioneers’ final shot if LIU Brooklyn junior guard Jason Brickman hadn’t made a smart play with less than five seconds remaining. Brickman, who dished out 12 assists, quickly fouled Phil Gaetano on Sacred Heart’s inbound play, forcing free throws and preventing a Gibson three-point try to tie.

Gaetano hit the first then missed the second free throw, leading to a put-back attempt by Sacred Heart’s Tevin Falzon as time expired. Falzon’s miss allowed the Blackbirds to escape with a much needed win, keeping alive LIU’s hopes of hosting a game next Wednesday in the first round of the Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Outside of Gibson, offense was hard to come by last night. LIU’s freshman sensation E.J. Reed was the only other player in the game for either side who delivered consistently. Reed scored 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting and connected for a huge three-pointer with a little more than a minute remaining to cut Sacred Heart’s lead to 64-63.

Senior forward Jamal Olasewere (16 points), who was held in check for much of the game by a packed-in Pioneer defense, then took over. Olasewere scored five straight points, including a driving layup with 10 seconds remaining, to give LIU the lead for good. After a Sacred Heart turnover, senior guard C.J. Garner atoned for earlier misses by knocking down two free throws to stretch the LIU lead to three, setting up the game’s final sequence.

LIU Brooklyn coach Jack Perri was relieved that his team ended a two game slide with a strong defensive effort. “We got stops when we wanted to,” said the first year coach.

“It wasn’t pretty,” continued Perri, “but I’m glad that we got a win after two tough losses on the road.”

The win sets up a huge home game for LIU this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against Quinnipiac. Now 11-6 in the NEC, the Blackbirds (16-13 overall) are tied with the Bobcats (15-14, 11-6 NEC) as well as Wagner and Bryant for second place in the conference. The winner of the LIU - Quinnipiac game will secure a top four seed and at least one home playoff game in the upcoming NEC Tournament. The loser likely ends up with a #5 seed and will have to travel for the first round—a prospect Blackbird fans are not prepared to face.

LIU Super Fan Bose Olasewere (mother of Jamal) believes the Blackbirds are on a roll after a big win. “Now the momentum can take us through to the game on Saturday and beyond.”

LIU Brooklyn Women’s and Men’s Basketball vs. Quinnipiac University, Saturday, March 2, 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The WRAC, 161 Ashland Place (between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street). For more information contact g.fox@liu.edu or 718-488-1018.