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SEASON 7

Recent Game Recaps

Epilogue, The Ninth: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Memories

So We Meet Again

Rte. 139 - End of the Line

Hanging On

A Championship in Pictures

This Time of Year

Dotson Leads Ducks to the Sweet Sixteen

Grizzlies Overwhelmed by Orangemen

Empire

Challenge 11: Final Four Memories

By George, UConn is Dead

Butler and Us

Donning the Black and Gold

Challenge 10: Tourney Memories

The Madness of the Horizon League

The Rare Ivy League Conference Tournament

MAC Madness

Anything Can Happen in the MAAC

Challenge 9: Shock The Neighborhood

A Youthful Surprise

From Worst to First

Peers and Seers

Game 7-080: Northeast Championship
March 10, 2011 3:48 pm ET by Kyle Whelliston

Robert Morris Colonials at Long Island Blackbirds

March 9, 2011 7:00 pm
Athletic Center
BBState Stats/Recap



A classic championship game in the Northeast Conference, as Long Island defeated two-time defending champions Robert Morris in overtime. LIU would be one of the greatest programs in the history of college basketball in an alternate timeline. And that it was a team entirely made up of players from outside the borough, a gathering of hoops immigrants, was strangely fitting. For tradition, for justice, for Clair Bee. For the whole borough, and all of NYC. Not Empty anymore.

We storm the court again (pictured above). This was the first one with yelling and tears, and the first with an actual emotional attachment. I was conceived in Greenwich Village and spent formative years there, and I consider myself the best kind of New Yorker: the kind who doesn't live there. To be there for the first NCAA bid for a city team in seven years (Manhattan 2003) was not only a tiny slice of vindication after decades of decay in the NYC college game as well as the NCAA's punishment, it was very special and very personal.

New York City taught me how to be an asshole.

Also: Cheesecake, real fook'n Brooklyn pizza, #birdgang, "Long Island Blackbirds are the SHHHHaye," #DDDDUUUUNNNNXXXXXXXXX, blood, a Fynnal For Ballz reunion, the obligatory photo gallery, and we're broadcasting live to Australia.

@midmajority Game Tweets

18:41 Game No. 7-080: [3] Robert Morris at [1] Long Island. @NECsports Championship Game. Redefining urban chic. http://t.co/FuwZ7DL
18:43 #youareinformed http://t.co/z3oZIGt
18:47 We had to run past Junior's on our way in. Perhaps the best cheesecake in the world. #sadz img.ly/3aK6
18:50 But then we got here, and guess what! Cheesecake! #happies #happies http://t.co/dGf7iII
18:54 Long Island. 26-5 overall. 16-2 in the NEC regular season, beat SFPA and CCSU to get here. Hosting, as that's the prize for finishing 1st.
18:55 Robert Morris. Two-time defending champions of this league. 18-13, 12-6. Beat Wagner and Quinnipiac to get to the final again.
18:57 The Blackbird. http://t.co/bguSM6N
18:58 RT @NECsports: 10 minutes from tip at the NEC title game here in Brooklyn and this place is LOUD. RMU at LIU on ESPN2. Please join us. @rmuathletics
18:59 RT @chrispalm: @midmajority I know that's a blackbird, but for some reason it makes me think of Poe's The Raven. LIU is rapping at your chamber door!
19:00 Loud. http://t.co/ErA8iIp
19:02 There's a sign behind me that says #birdgang. Hashtags!
19:03 PA: "We're about to go live on ESPN2, so get ready to show the country that they're watching basketball in Brooklyn!!"
19:04 Tip. http://t.co/TNJ3sgr
19:04 Sr. guard Gary Wallace with a long two-point hop-lob to open scoring for RMU. 2-0, we are 39 minutes (or so) from an NEC champion.
19:05 RT @NECsports: The NEC welcomes @midmajority, @ballybasketball and their Super Fan to Championship Week, Brooklyn style. http://yfrog.com/gz8mcblj
19:06 Jamal Olasewere does what the Blackbirds have done best this year: shoot threes. RMU 4, LIU 3 at 17:48 1H.
19:07 Thanks, @NECSports! That is @TFelice on the left and his Butler FYNNAL FOR BALLZ. A little bit of Bulldog magic in the building tonight.
19:10 The crowd is louder than the PA. Can't hear a word. That is a definite benchmark of game intensity. RMU 9, LIU 5 at 14:42 1H.
19:14 LIU's Kenny Onyechi, sophomore F, misses an and-one FT out of the MTO. But on the next possession, #D #U #N #X
19:18 LIU, one of the nation's fastest teams in possessions/40M terms, overheating a little here. RMU calm and poised, up 6 at 12:11 1H.
19:22 As with Battle of Brooklyn last month, decibel level high. And high-pitched. LIU has lots of screaming female fans. Like a concert in here.
19:22 Of curse, LIU used to play in a concert hall. http://t.co/znLsVfu Not anymore. This is a very new, sparkly place.
19:26 End of the first quarter, tied at 16 between Long Island and Robert Morris.
19:30 Our 3rd go-round with LIU. FAST team. Moves the ball quickly, crashes the boards hard. "Fun to watch." Really good when under control.
19:34 Velton Jones with a #superhoop for RMU at the 7 min mark of 1H, up 24-21. Folks in the stands across from cameras are the only ones sitting.
19:35 Jamal Olasewere with a Liberty layup in transition, plus one. Tied at 24, 5:47 1H.
19:37 Pretty reverse by RMU froshhhh Yann Charles. Spectacular plays, loud crowd, close game, switch away from CINC-USF now! This is fun!
19:38 #champfortnight Western Athletic: [7] Fresno State 80 [6] Nevada 90 - Final
19:40 RT @MattNorlander: OK, I'm now at the NEC final. Robert Morris-LIU, and once again have the pleasure of rubbing elbows w/ @midmajority. Place is a giant party.
19:41 RT @ECoastBias: @MattNorlander @midmajority you guys are making me miss Brooklyn. Sniff.
19:42 #champfortnight MEAC: [9] South Carolina State 27 [1] Bethune-Cookman 31 - Half
19:42 Some real fook'n Brooklyn pizza. http://t.co/xMb3XCu
19:44 RMU has been taking a short lead, then being quickly pulled back. Finally, two baskets in a row for Colonials, and Birds playing in a hole.
19:45 RT @bubbaprog: More celebs in Brooklyn tonight than at a Knicks game! I see @midmajority,@ballybasketball,@tfelice and @danshanoff! http://30fram.es/1mf
19:46 #champfortnight Southland: [8] Nicholls State 20 [1] McNeese State 23 - Half
19:47 6-7 so. Kenny Onyechi, one of LIU's many Texans, with an and-one to bring the Blackbirds back even. 1:00 to play in 1H.
19:48 We will keep up the speed. RT @Sportz_Nut: @midmajority Thanks for the updates at LIU. Only way I can follow right now.
19:53 We are at the half. RMU up 33-32. LIU thwarted an attempt by the Colonials to go up two baskets, got fouled, and sliced it to a single.
19:54 #champfortnight Northeast: [3] Robert Morris 33 [1] Long Island 32 - Half
19:58 Some atmosphere. http://t.co/scADOGw
20:03 18 years ago in the @NECSports tourney, "The Shot"... that ruined Tim Capstraw's career. http://t.co/rAV8sfR
20:06 Tempo-free HT: NEC title game edition. Long Island 32 points in 35 possessions (.91). Robert Morris 33 points in 36 trips (.91). Dead heat.
20:08 We've received word that Manhattan has fired Barry "Slice" Rohrssen after five seasons. He was on a short leash after four.
20:10 Hard times in the Empty City. Manhattan was the last NYC team to go to the NCAA Tournament: 2004. Was a long time ago. TMM didn't exist.
20:11 So Long Island is in an intriguing position right now. 20 minutes away from being the first NYC team in the NCAAT in the last seven years.
20:12 And here come the Blackbirds. Two unanswered buckets to open the second half, and they're up 36-33 on RMU at 18:10 2H. Here we go.
20:14 But Lijah Thompson with a #fastdunk to counter! LIU takes the lead right back! If you love NYC, basketball, or anything, just watch this.
20:16 LIU leads by 6!! A CJ Garner sky-layup! And then a Jason Brickman three! The froshhh with the #superhoop! LIU 43, RMU 37! Fans screaming!
20:17 RT @NovaYankee: The LIU PA guy sounds like he's in full-voice tonight. I can still hear him with the TV on mute. @midmajority
20:17 We can't hear the PA guy here at all. Too many screaming girls! @NovaYankee
20:18 Thanks!! RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority love the bow tie.
20:20 #champfortnight Conference USA: [11] HOU 36 [6] MRSH 33 - Half | HOU: A. Harris 12 - MRSH: D. Pitts 11
20:20 RMU brought band and cheerleaders. They come out at MTO1 of 2H. Some groans -- but no real boos -- from LIU crowd. Then a "boring" chant.
20:23 Jason Brickman, superfroshhh with the #superhoops! LIU extends to a 46-38 lead at 15:18 2H.
20:25 May have been noted on the TV, but there are 0 city kids on the LIU team. Three Canadians, three Texans, one from Switzerland. No locals.
20:27 The lid is on the basket for RMU. Four chances and an empty. But Lijah Thompson is fouled. His 2 FT's cut LIU's lead to 50-43. 13:41 2H.
20:28 Right on. #ellishoopisland RT @NovaYankee: @midmajority As diverse as the City itself. #meltingpotofbasketball
20:31 We don't use them. We have it with 2 mins left. RT @PsyMar: @midmajority FYI, NICH-MCN is *not* over, despite what ESPN's scoreboard says.
20:35 We are waiting for TV. And the lid is off! RMU a quick run of 6-1, with many o-rebs, and they're within two. 51-49 LIU, 11:10 2H.
20:36 Your attention please: Kenny Onyechi is in the No. 30 jersey after bleeding all over his usual No. 32. A #sofdunx makes it 53-50 Blackbirds.
20:37 Fan behind me: "Get it in! GET THAT S___ in!" And No. 30 Kenny Onyechi DOES! #DDDDUUUUNNNNXXXXXXXXX (+1, miss) End of 1Q: 55-51 LIU.
20:38 #champfortnight MEAC: [9] South Carolina State 50 [1] Bethune-Cookman 66 - Final
20:38 This game has had a lot of #dunx!! #ilikedunx
20:39 LIU's Jason Brickman: certified crunch time #superhoop genius. Another one from the frosshhhh, and the Blackbirds lead 9:16 2H.
20:41 Kyle Johnson, double zero, with a layup for LIU, and they're maintaining the two-to-three basket lead. 8:15 2H now, Blackbirds up 61-54.
20:42 That's a hashtag we can get with RT @AsherFusco: @midmajority I think getting Onyechi blood on you makes you grow muscles immediately
20:42 Time to aim the camera at it #1985 RT @BenHandelman: Clock is out on ESPN2 broadcast of #NEC champ game. Same thing last year @midmajority
20:43 RT @NECsports: How much fun is this game? Velton Jones with the big three from the corner to stop an LIU run.
20:44 #champfortnight Southland: [8] Nicholls State 54 [1] McNeese State 61 - Final
20:45 I'm boinging Bally... I think it's on TV in HD!
20:47 Velton Jones, who's stopped a lot of LIU runs tonight, with a two. But CJ Garner with an and-one! He bumps his chest for the crowd.
20:48 Garner, a Silver Spring, Md. native, is the one who hit the game-winner in the 2011 Battle of Brooklyn, the Best Game Nobody Saw.
20:49 Six minutes left in regulation. LIU leads 66-60. Both teams in the single bonus, LIU with 4 TO and RMU 3. #youarereset
20:52 Texan LIU senior Julian Boyd at the line. Missed a year after doctors discovered he had cardiomyopathy, is on medication, and back playing.
20:53 They stole my blowout material! RT @NovaYankee: Holy crap, LIU-Brooklyn is 71% female. Now I know what @midmajority was talking about.
20:54 Awesome!!! #orngpixls RT @rtruesdell: Didn't see the boinging, but he's getting lots of terrific HD face time!
20:56 Great NYC signs tonight in the stands. One: "Anybody thirsty? BUCKETS ALL DAY!" Another: "Long Island Blackbirds are the SHHHHaye"
20:57 3:28 left in regulation at the NEC title game. LIU holds a 70-62 advantage over Robert Morris after two Jason Brickman FT's.
21:00 Julian Boyd just made a two-point dunk shot. #straightface
21:00 Quick shout-out to our buds above the Red Line covering the Big East tournament at MSG, completing their own 100 Games Projects in 3 days.
21:01 1:48 in regulation. Gary Wallace drains a #superhoop for RMU. 72-69 LIU.
21:01 RT @PsyMar: @midmajority #holys___alleyoopDUNX
21:02 One minute to go. Velton Jones again for RMU with a key leaner. One-possession game. 74-71 LIU. Title on the line.
21:04 Crowd on feet out of the time out, chanting "LIU! LIU! LIU!" And the Blackbirds throw it away! 23 seconds left!
21:04 TIED at 74! Russell Johnson a 3 for RMU!
21:05 OVERTIME!
21:07 LIU is the best team the NEC has produced in 8 years, if you use the RPI as a catch-all. Only team since 03 to finish in the top 100. (CCSU)
21:08 Robert Morris: the two-time champs. Enough kids still around who remember both, especially the OT near-miss vs.
Villanova in Provy.
21:09 One of those two teams will represent the NEC in the NCAA Tournament. Both have held momentum for long stretches tonight. 78-76 RMU 4:09 OT.
21:10 Jason Brickman, a 5-10 froshhh with a lion heart, drives the lane for a layup. Tied at 78.
21:11 Velton Jones, who will be in every LIU nightmare all summer if RMU wins, a response jumper. 2:54 OT. Colonials up 80-78.
21:11 RT @NECsports: First ever NEC title game to go to OT!
21:12 Apologies to the Big Sky if we're holding you up. Actually, no apologies at all. This is f___ing awesome.
21:13 LIU's Jamal Olasewere bangs in a banger, and it's tied again! 1:55 OT, 80-80!
21:14 And another from Olasewere! LIU leads 82-80, gets hand in this game! 1:16 OT!
21:15 Russell Johnson at the line for RMU. MISS. Make. LIU up 82-81.
21:17 One minute left. Russell Johnson fouls out for RMU! Wait! No he didn't! They reassign the foul to froshhh Coron Williams. 2 FT: miss, make.
21:18 83-81 LIU, :44 OT. And RMU goes to the line on the other end. Russell Johnson, granted a pardon ("booooo!") MISSES the first, makes the 2nd.
21:19 :39 OT, LIU 83, RMU 82. Blackbirds holding for a last shot. Crowd chants the shoal acronym.
21:20 And a missed three! And a missed layup! Out of bounds... OFF RMU! Seven seconds left! Storm positions!
21:21 Brickman to shoot two. Make. MAKE. LIU up by three. 85-82. And RMU almost throws it away! But calls a full time out!
21:22 We Seek The Core. RT @defiantlydutch: Fans beginning to crowd the court in Brooklyn. Will Bally & @midmajority sneak out there this year?
21:23 Here we go. MISSED THREE from RMU! But RMU will retain possession with .6!
21:23 See you on the other side.
21:27 RT @jskarp: APB for @midmajority at LIU. He could be at midcourt in less than one second.
21:28 #champfortnight Northeast: [3] Robert Morris 82 [1] Long Island 85 - Final
21:29 For tradition, for justice, for Clair Bee. For the whole borough, and all of NYC. Not Empty anymore. LIU Blackbirds: going to the Dance.
21:31 RT @Sportz_Nut: And thanks again to @midmajority for the play-by-play via Twitter. I was anxious waiting for the tweets to come through!!!
21:33 RMU stayed on the court for the trophy ceremony, and got a round of applause from the classy LIU fans.
21:39 NEC champions. http://t.co/zzXAAFV
21:41 Get your slice!! http://t.co/1chAR3l
21:44 Let the coach have some! Jim Ferry, who's been trying to do this for almost a decade. (and son) http://t.co/4Td2q8t
21:45 Come be there with us: http://t.co/I3VTAoD
21:47 #stormthecourt #seekthecore #feeltheheat
21:48 #champfortnight Conference USA: [11] HOU 87 [6] MRSH 97 - Final | HOU: Z. Nixon 21 - MRSH: D. Pitts 28
21:50 RT @clivedaddy: Games like that make me jealous of @midmajority. He gets to go everyday! Hopefully the A-14 can make it happen in AC. #owls
21:53 RT @ballybasketball: I'm at a basktball parti! http://t.co/G1uFPpB
21:55 Slip-Notts work. http://t.co/NFbwRHe
21:56 Victory. http://t.co/V9nD07q

Boxscore

at LONG ISLAND 85, ROBERT MORRIS 82
03/09/2011

ROBERT MORRIS 18-14 (12-6) -- C. Williams 5-11 1-2 12; V. Jones 7-16 4-6 20; L. Thompson 5-8 5-6 15; G. Wallace 3-8 0-0 7; A. Myers 0-3 1-2 1; L. Bridges 1-3 1-2 3; R. Johnson 6-12 6-8 22; Y. Charles 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 28-66 18-26 82.
LONG ISLAND 27-5 (15-2) -- C. Garner 7-13 1-1 15; J. Olasewere 11-19 7-13 31; D. Hicks 0-6 0-0 0; J. Brickman 3-7 7-8 15; J. Boyd 3-11 1-2 7; K. Johnson 2-6 0-0 4; K. Onyechi 5-7 3-7 13; M. Culpo 0-1 0-0 0; B. Hucks 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-71 19-31 85.

Three-point goals: RMU 8-25 (V. Jones 2-6; C. Williams 1-3; R. Johnson 4-9; G. Wallace 1-6; A. Myers 0-1), LIUB 4-14 (K. Johnson 0-1; D. Hicks 0-4; J. Boyd 0-2; J. Olasewere 2-2; J. Brickman 2-5); Rebounds: RMU 34 (L. Thompson 9), LIUB 36 (J. Olasewere 11); Assists: RMU 13 (V. Jones 3), LIUB 18 (J. Brickman 8); Total Fouls -- RMU 25, LIUB 19; Fouled Out: RMU-L. Thompson; LIUB-None.