Jan. 23, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - Setting The Scene: The Sacred Heart men's basketball returns home to take on Long Island University at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The Pioneers have won three straight games and stand at 6-2 in the NEC.

Series: LIU leads the all-time series between the two schools, 10-7. The Pioneers won an earlier meeting this season, on January 7, 75-68. SHU won the lone game last season, 80-72 in Fairfield. In the final game of the 2002-03 season, the Pioneers won a 79-73 decision in Brooklyn that was win number 400 for head coach Dave Bike.

Upcoming Games: The Pioneers host Quinnipiac on Saturday as the second half of a doubleheader. They will then head to Teaneck, NJ for a rematch with FDU on January 31.

Scouting the Opponent: LIU is 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the Northeast Conference. The Blackbirds have lost four of five and are coming off an 84-80 setback at Quinnipiac on Saturday.

The leading scorer for the Blackbirds is senior Kellen Allen, who is avaraging 13.1 points per game off the bench. Senior Eugene Katorobai is averaging 12.5 per contest. He is also the top rebounder for LIU at 7.2 per game. Sophomore guard Jaytornah Wisseh may be the most valuable member of the team to date, however, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

LIU is shooting just 41 percent from the floor and 65 percent from the free throw line.

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