Men's Basketball Drops 79-70 Decision at St. Francis (PA)

1/5/05 -- Long Island, despite 24 points from sophomore James Williams (DeSoto, Texas) and a late rally, was detitle a 79-70 setback by St. Francis (PA) in Loretto, Pa. for its first Northeast Conference loss this season.

The Blackbirds (4-7, 1-1 NEC) were down 66-53 with 3:40 remaining before going on a 15-7 run to close to 73-68 with 40 second left. Sophomore Evan Meekins (East Providence, R.I.), who closed with 12 points off the bench, nailed the last of LIU's five 3-pointers in that stretch.

But the Red Flash (7-4, 2-0) made four free throws in the waning seconds to clinch the victory.

Williams shot 5-of-9 from 3-point range and 7-of-13 from the floor, scoring at least 20 points for the third time this season. Freshman Kellen Allen (Mansfield, Texas) matched his season high with 16 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds.

LIU worked its way back into the contest by shooting 50 percent (15-of-30) from the field in the second half, but hit for just 39 percent (10-of-26) in the opening 20 minutes. St. Francis (PA) shot 52 percent (15-of-29) from the floor in the first half for a 36-27 lead.

LIU opens a three-game homestand Monday against Wagner, beginning at 7:00 pm.