Sophomore forward Jason Steele and the LIU Sharks couldn’t keep up with the Ole Miss Rebels Monday night in their season opener. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics
Redshirt junior Malachi Davis scored 19 points and so did senior guard Brent Davis, but it wasn’t enough as the Long Island University men’s basketball team opened its season with a 90-60 loss at Mississippi on Monday in front of 7,982 fans at The Sandy and John Black Pavillion.
Malachi Davis, who transferred from Arizona State after appearing in six games for the Sun Devils last year, scored LIU’s first 10 points and had 13 before intermission as the Sharks (0-1) fell behind 44-27.
The 6-foot-4 native of Toronto, Canada went 7-of-15 from the floor, drained a pair of 3-pointers, grabbed three rebounds and picked up a steal in his first career game for LIU, which forged a 10-10 deadlock in the early going before Ole Miss (1-0) pulled away for good with a 10-0 run.
Brent Davis finished 5-of-12 from the field and 7-of-9 at the line, but was the only other Shark in double figures in scoring as the Rebels dominated along the interior, finishing with 13 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points.
Senior Jaylen Murray scored 24 points, including the 1,000th of his career, for Ole Miss, which drained 9-of-22 shots from beyond the arc.
Junior guard Blake Lander had seven points and four boards off the bench for the Sharks, who will host Pratt Institute in their home opener at the Steinberg Wellness Center Saturday at noon.
The LIU women also got off to a rough start Monday, suffering an 83-59 defeat at Lehigh before 467 fans at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Freshman Shanaii Gamble poured in 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and Brooklyn native Sirviva Legions added 10 for the Sharks (0-1), who will head home to host St. John’s Friday night at 6…
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