2008 Woodie Awards
Howard's career high leads men's hoops past LIU
Graig Shepard
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports
Senior Brice Brooks scored a career high 24 points leading the Sacred Heart Pioneers to their seventh conference win with a 77-76 victory over Long Island University on Thursday night.
The Pioneers have won their fourth straight conference game bringing them to 7-2 in the NEC.
Jaytornah Wisseh scored 21 points, Kellen Allen scored 19, and David Hicks had 12 for the struggling Long Island University. The Blackbirds dropped to 2-5 in the NEC giving them very little hope for a successful season.
The game started out rough for the Pioneers as they were outrebounded by the Blackbirds, keeping LIU in the game . The Blackbirds had 20 offensive rebounds to the Pioneers five in the first half.
"I was upset and I think I had a right to be, a big part of getting offensive rebounds is hustle," said Pioneers head coach, Dave Bike.
The Pioneers redeemed themselves in the second half nabbing seven offensive boards to the Blackbirds five.
"We did it to them in the second half, fortunately we combated that." said Bike.
"At the half, coach told us to focus more on boxing out," said Brice Brooks, senior forward.
The Pioneers shot 84 percent from the free throw line, which played a key role in their victory.
"They took two more foul shots than us in the first half but we went 12 for 14, it makes a difference." said Bike. Brooks went 8-9 from the foul line, Pettway 4-4, Shubik 3-3, Hardy 2-3, and Howard 2-2.
The game was back of forth the entire game nobody really took control. It came down to the very bitter end when Junior forward Ryon Howard grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in regaining the a Pioneer lead 77-76 with 4.5 seconds to go.
"During our final time out coach said all five of us to go to the glass, the ball game my way and I put it in," said Howard.
The Blackbirds had one more chance as their leading scorer Wisseh to the ball and threw up a mercy shot from half court that was no good.
"I didn't feel real good with the ball in #22's hand, even with four seconds left, that kid can fly." said coach Bike. The Pioneers pulled out a one point victory, making them a top contender in the NEC.
"A win is a win, whether it is by one point or a hundred points," said Brooks.
The Pioneers have won their fourth straight conference game bringing them to 7-2 in the NEC.
Jaytornah Wisseh scored 21 points, Kellen Allen scored 19, and David Hicks had 12 for the struggling Long Island University. The Blackbirds dropped to 2-5 in the NEC giving them very little hope for a successful season.
The game started out rough for the Pioneers as they were outrebounded by the Blackbirds, keeping LIU in the game . The Blackbirds had 20 offensive rebounds to the Pioneers five in the first half.
"I was upset and I think I had a right to be, a big part of getting offensive rebounds is hustle," said Pioneers head coach, Dave Bike.
The Pioneers redeemed themselves in the second half nabbing seven offensive boards to the Blackbirds five.
"We did it to them in the second half, fortunately we combated that." said Bike.
"At the half, coach told us to focus more on boxing out," said Brice Brooks, senior forward.
The Pioneers shot 84 percent from the free throw line, which played a key role in their victory.
"They took two more foul shots than us in the first half but we went 12 for 14, it makes a difference." said Bike. Brooks went 8-9 from the foul line, Pettway 4-4, Shubik 3-3, Hardy 2-3, and Howard 2-2.
The game was back of forth the entire game nobody really took control. It came down to the very bitter end when Junior forward Ryon Howard grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in regaining the a Pioneer lead 77-76 with 4.5 seconds to go.
"During our final time out coach said all five of us to go to the glass, the ball game my way and I put it in," said Howard.
The Blackbirds had one more chance as their leading scorer Wisseh to the ball and threw up a mercy shot from half court that was no good.
"I didn't feel real good with the ball in #22's hand, even with four seconds left, that kid can fly." said coach Bike. The Pioneers pulled out a one point victory, making them a top contender in the NEC.
"A win is a win, whether it is by one point or a hundred points," said Brooks.
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