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San Diego, CA -- The LIU men's basketball team's (24-11) postseason run came to an end on Friday when the Sharks fell to #1 seed Arizona (33-2) by a 92-58 final in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament's West Region at Viejas Arena. 

The Sharks, who claimed the NEC regular season crown with 15 wins in league play, ran through the NEC Tournament with defeats of #8 Chicago State, #7 Wagner and #3 Mercyhurst to hoist the title for the seventh time in program history. Friday's matchup with the Wildcats marked LIU's seventh appearance in the Big Dance as an NEC member, and the program's first since 2018.

In addition to pulling off the NEC double sweep, LIU's 24 wins under NEC Coach of the Year Rod Strickland marked the third-most in program history.

Three Sharks registered double figures, led by Mason Porter-Brown. Canning each of his first three three-point attempts, he finished with 15 points behind a 4-for-8 clip from long range. NEC Defensive Player of the Year and NEC Tournament MVP Greg Gordon tallied 12 points, while All-NEC first teamer Jamal Fuller added 11. 

Coming out of the gates shooting 57.6 percent from the field (19-of-33), including 60.0 percent from three (6-for-10) in the first half, Arizona, which jumped out to a quick 15-4 lead, led by a 53-29 count at halftime. Brayden Burries, who finished 4-for-5 from behind the arc, led the Big 12 champs with 18 points.