OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – A 59-point second half helped the LIU Post men's basketball team erase a nine-point halftime deficit to take down New York Institute of Technology, 92-79, sweeping the 2017-18 edition of the Battle of the Boulevard.
 
With the win, the Pioneers improve to 6-4 in ECC play, while NYIT slips to 1-9 in conference action. The Green and Gold sit in a tie for fourth as the race for the postseason heats up with eight games remaining on the docket.
 
After shooting just 34 percent (12-35) in the first half, the Pioneers caught fire over the final 20 minutes, netting nearly 55 percent (17-31), including a 21-for-22 effort from the free throw line for the 59-point total. LIU Post held a 43-36 advantage on the glass, and 3 margin in the turnover column, leading to a 21-11 edge in points off turnovers.
 
It was a balanced team effort for the Pioneers who saw five players finish in double figures. Freshman Austin Kennedy led all scorers with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Senior Kyle Taylor-McLeggan tallied 15 points off the bench, sophomores Jared Rivers and Kyle Doucette put home 14, and 13, respectively, while senior Aary Bibens chipped in 12 off the bench. The rebounding was as well rounded as the scoring, as seven players grabbed four or more boards on the day.
 
Trailing by as many as 14 points (57-43) with 15:25 remaining, and 10 points (65-55) with under 10 to play, the Pioneers throttled the Bears for 37 points over the final 8:56 of the contest, including a 17-0 run to take the lead, 76-71. The run was enough to halt NYIT's momentum and hold off the local rival the rest of the way.  Kennedy netted 16 of his 25 points during the second half, and Doucette poured in all 13 of his tallies during the stanza as well to lead the Pioneers to the victory.
 
The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 31 when they wrap up a three-game road trip at the University of Bridgeport at 7:00 p.m.