The LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds (13-13) travel to DeGol Arena to play the Saint Francis Red Flash (13-13) in a meeting of the Northeast’s top two teams. The game gets underway at 1:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Red Flash lost to St. Francis Brooklyn 70-58 on Thursday. Ronnie Drinnon put in a solid effort despite the loss for Saint Francis, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds to earn his 15th double-double of the season. The Blackbirds, meanwhile, are coming off a 74-67 loss to Robert Morris on Thursday. Martin Hermannsson had a team-high 18 points.
Over the last five games, Drinnon has been playing at a high level for the Red Flash. During that stretch, he has averaged 16.4 points, 16.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.8 steals. On the other side, the Blackbirds have been led by Hermannsson. He has been on a tear, averaging 20.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 three-pointers in the same time frame.
It will be a tale of two tempos, as the fast-breaking Blackbirds (ranked 30th in the nation in possessions per game) take on the slow-paced Red Flash (281st).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Red Flash won the first game 72-65. Despite the loss, Hermannsson was a top performer in the game with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three three-pointers.
Notes
The LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds average 73.3 possessions per game and 1.027 points per possession. The Saint Francis Red Flash earn fewer possessions with 67.1, but they score more points with 1.041.
Saint Francis has an average effective field goal percentage of 48.6%. LIU Brooklyn is an underachieving 5-10 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Saint Francis attempts 19.0 three pointers and LIU Brooklyn attempts 19.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Saint Francis Red Flash have a 6-5 record while the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds have a subpar 5-11 record.
Saint Francis records 5.0 steals per game. LIU Brooklyn is 10-9 when giving up at least 5 steals.
