Post Pioneers pound Weslyan, 82-69

Thomas Scavetta

The LIU Post men’s basketball team (9-9) clicked on all cylinders as they shot an impressive 54 percent from the field and 56 percent from beyond the arc in the 82-69 victory on Saturday, Jan. 24 over the Redhawks from Roberts Weselyan College (7-9). The East Coast Conference battle took place at the Voller Athletic Center in Rochester, N.Y. 

LIU Post senior forward Tyuan Williams recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double in six contests. Junior guard Dillon Burns also had a 16-point outing along with five boards, three assists and two steals. Junior guard Akosa Maduegbunam chipped in with 14 points. 

After holding a 14-12 edge midway through the opening stanza, the Pioneers went on an 11-1 run over three minutes to expand their lead to double digits at the 8:18 mark. Maduegbunam nailed three straight three-pointers to pave the way. 

But the Redhawks responded with a run of their own, outscoring the Pioneers 26-6 to close out the half and carry a 38-31 advantage into the locker room. 

As the Redhawks widened their lead up to 11 and with the momentum hanging in the balance, the Pioneers were able to find a way.

LIU Post climbed back into the contest with a 17-2 outburst in a five-minute span to re-gain the lead, 62-60. Burns led the assault with a fast break lay-up, and back-to-back three-pointers.

With the score deadlocked at 62, the Pioneers put the game away with a 17-4 run. The streak was capped off with a trifecta by senior guard Isiah Stokley, which sealed the victory.

LIU Post head basketball coach Erik Smiles and the Pioneers return to action Thursday, Jan. 29, when they kick off a critical four-game home stand at the Pratt Recreation Center in Brookville against UDC. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.

This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.

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