NEW YORK — Greg Gordon had 19 points in LIU's 64-56 victory over Wagner on Saturday in the semifinals of the NEC Tournament and punched the first ticket to the NCAA tournament.
LIU, which has five Canadians on its roster, will play 3rd-seeded Mercyhurst in the final on Tuesday, but the Sharks have secured the conference’s auto-bid to the NCAA tournament. Mercyhurst is currently in the second year of a four-year transition period from Division II to Division I, and is not eligible for the NCAA tournament until the 2028-29 season.
Gordon had four steals for the top-seeded Sharks (23-10), who are coached by former NBA star Rod Strickland. Toronto's Jamal Fuller added 17 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Winnipeg's Shadrak Lasu finished with 13 points, adding 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Toronto's Malachi Davis, Caleb Johnson of North Preston, N.S. and Max Ndlovu-Fraser of North Vancouver are the other Canadians on the Brooklyn-based team.
Nick Jones led the 7th-seeded Seahawks (14-17) in scoring, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds and two steals.
LIU was tied with Wagner at the half, 23-23, and took the lead for good with 17:16 left in the second half on a free throw from Gordon.
This marks LIU's first NCAA appearance since 2018 and eighth overall. The Sharks never have won a game at the tournament.
