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‘Hermann-ator’ keeps LIU in contention

Freshman Guard’s Career Night Lifts Blackbirds Over FDU

January 28, 2015 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
LIU-Brooklyn freshman Martin Hermannsson earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors and kept the Blackbirds in the tournament hunt. Photo courtesy of LIU-Brooklyn Athletics
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Left out in the cold of the Northeast Conference Tournament picture last season after reeling off a record three consecutive league titles, the LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds are still clinging to one of the NEC’s eight coveted postseason spots.

They can thank freshman guard Martin Hermannsson for keeping them there after Saturday’s career-best performance against Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, N.J.

Hermannsson, who represents one half of the Blackbirds’ dynamic new Icelandic backcourt, along with countryman Elvar Fridriksson, was named the NEC Rookie of the Week after putting up a season-high 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and career-high five steals in LIU’s 80-76 triumph at FDU. He also knocked down 12 of his 15 free-throw attempts.

“[Hermannsson] can score in a variety of ways and his basketball IQ is off the charts,” Blackbirds head coach Jack Perri said of his talented guard earlier this season. “He should have an immediate impact on our program.”

With the win, the Blackbirds (7-12, 3-5 NEC) averted a third consecutive defeat, and moved into a tie with Sacred Heart for the final two playoff spots in the conference.

Senior Gerrell Martin scored 17 points and sophomore Glenn Feidanga added nine points and nine rebounds off the bench against FDU as LIU built some much-needed momentum for Thursday night’s home game against Central Connecticut State.

On Saturday, the Blackbirds will take a brisk walk down to Remsen Street, where they will face conference-leading St. Francis Brooklyn in the annual Battle of Brooklyn game.

The Terriers (12-9, 6-2), coming off Saturday’s tough 67-65 loss to Robert Morris, will host Mount St. Mary’s on Thursday night before the Blackbirds pay their annual visit.

St. Francis is currently deadlocked with Bryant and RMU atop the NEC standings after receiving the No. 1 ranking in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.

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The Brooklyn College men’s team kept rolling Friday night as the Bulldogs rallied back from a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat visiting CUNYAC rival John Jay College, 84-76, in overtime for their fourth consecutive win.

Junior Lorenzo Williams, formerly of South Shore High School, led the BC comeback, putting up game highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds. Williams also scored the first five points of the overtime session as the Bulldogs (16-3, 8-2 CUNYAC) averted their first home loss of the season, improving to 8-0 at the West Quad Center.

Jai Kellman scored 17 points, Jamel Gist chipped in with 15, and Egzon Gjonbalaj notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the BC got ready to travel to Lehman College on Wednesday in a key tilt that could ultimately decided home-court advantage in the CUNYAC Championships.

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The BC women also made it four wins in a row last Friday, leading wire-to-wire en route to a 73-58 victory over John Jay.

“I was very pleased with our performance tonight,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Alex Lang said after his team improved to 12-5 overall and 9-1 in CUNYAC action.

“It was nice to be at home and get our fourth straight win, however we know we still have lots of work to get to where we want to be at the end of the season,” added Lang.

Senior Vanessa D’Ambrosi led all scorers with 20 points and freshman Christina Heyer received CUNYAC Rookie of the Week honors after racking up 16 points, four assists and three steals.

***

The LIU-Brooklyn women’s team rallied late, but was unable to overcome first-place Bryant, suffering an 88-85 loss Monday night at the Bulldogs’ Chace Athletic Center.

Junior Sophie Bhasin poured in 24 points for the Blackbirds, who fell to 6-13 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

LIU will return to the hardwood Saturday in the first half of the men’s-women’s Battle for Brooklyn doubleheader on Remsen Street.

The Terriers will also enter that showdown off a tough loss as visiting CCSU pulled out a 51-49 victory at the Pope Center Monday in a tightly played defensive contest that featured 14 lead changes and five ties.

Sarah Benedetti scored 11 points and Leah Fechko and Jaymee Veney added 10 apiece for SFC (5-15, 2-6), which likely lost the game from beyond the arc, where it shot a dismal 13.3 percent on 3-point attempts.

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