SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Jamal Olasewere scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half and grabbed a last-second rebound to preserve LIU Brooklyn’s 79-78 victory over Bryant Saturday.
The Blackbirds (10-10, 5-3), the two-time defending Northeast Conference champs, trailed 49-42 at halftime before rallying.
Bryant (13-6, 6-2) got 25-points from Dyami Starks, who hit six 3-pointers. Frankie Dobbs added 11 points and Alex Francis 16. But Francis missed a critical late free throw.
Olasewere, who got help from teammates E.J. Reed (15 points), Booker Hucks (14) and Jason Brickman (11), led the second-half surge. Bryant last led 69-67 with 8:32 left after Vlad Kondratyev’s basket.
Two baskets by Kenny Onyechi and Olasewere’s last bucket put LIU Brooklyn up 79-74 with 2:17 left.
Francis, however, hit a layup, then another as he was fouled with a second left to make it 79-78. But he missed the free throw and Olasewere grabbed the rebound.