Hernandez, Batts power LIU Brooklyn over Bryant 84-71

Feb 3, 2018, 11:14 pm

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Senior Joel Hernandez poured in a career-high 32 points and sophomore Julian Batts added a career-best 27 to power LIU Brooklyn to an 84-71 victory over Bryant on Saturday.

Hernandez, who scored a personal-best 30 his last time out in a win over Sacred Heart, hit 12 of 23 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds for the Blackbirds (12-13, 7-5 Northeast Conference). Batts buried a career-high seven 3-pointers as LIU Brooklyn shot 44 percent from the floor and 40 percent (14 of 35) from distance. Batts snared nine rebounds, tying his best effort on the boards. The Blackbirds, who picked up their third straight victory, won the rebound battle 51-37.

Ikenna Ndugba topped the Bulldogs (2-23, 1-11) with 18 points. Adam Grant and Tanner Johnson added 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Brandon Carroll snagged 10 rebounds to go with nine points. Bryant, which had an 11-game losing streak earlier this season, has now dropped eight straight.

The Bulldogs made just 28 of 77 shots from the floor (36 percent), including 7 of 34 from distance (21 percent).