LIU Brooklyn eliminates Sacred Heart, 84-76

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) Joel Hernandez scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds and No. 6-seeded LIU Brooklyn beat No. 3-seeded Sacred Heart 84-76 in the quarterfinal round of the Northeastern Conference tournament on Wednesday night.

The win avenges the Blackbirds two regular season losses to Sacred Heart.

Brooklyn (16-14) led just 77-74 with 1:12 left, but scored seven of the last nine points to close out the game. All seven came from the free throw line. Martin Hermannsson hit a pair, followed by two from Hernandez, and finally three in a row from Iverson Fleming to close it out.

Fleming finished with 18 points and Hermannsson had 13 points and six assists.

Cane Broome, who became the first Sacred Heart player named NEC Player of the Year on Tuesday, scored 35 points to lead the Pioneers (12-18).

The Blackbirds will play No. 1 seed Wagner on Saturday.