NEC Men’s Update: Red Flash Seize The Weekend

Patrick Gustavson, Sports Editor

There was not a lot of movement throughout the Northeast Conference standings this weekend as all but two teams split their pair of games. The only team to come out unscathed was the Red Flash of Saint Francis (PA).

Home court advantage was in full effect Thursday night with all five home teams taking home the victory. But on Saturday, four of those same teams were handed losses on their own hardwood. It is yet another example of how unpredictable and topsy-turvy things have been throughout the league slate.

With the two wins, Saint Francis (PA) now is tied atop the standings. The Red Flash, led by the dynamic duo of Jamaal King and Keith Braxton, in the team’s contest against Central Connecticut. Braxton had 19 points to go with 15 boards and eight assists. Meanwhile, King scored 27 points on Saturday against Bryant.

The Red Flash have a tough week ahead as they travel to Fairleigh Dickinson before returning home to take on Robert Morris in a fight for first place.

After losing both games last week, Robert Morris bounced back by beating Bryant on Thursday by double-digits. They could have extended their lead in the standing further when they welcomed CCSU, who sat outside the playoff picture. But they fell to the Blue Devils by nine, leaving them in a tie with the Red Flash.

This past weekend should have been an opportunity for Sacred Heart, who had only lost one game at the Pitt Center all year. They took care of business against Fairleigh Dickinson, leaving them in a position to take sole possession of third place after the weekend. This was especially true considering they were hosting Mount St. Mary, who sits at the bottom of the standings and had won just five games all year. But the Mountaineers pulled off the upset, handing the Pioneers just their second home loss of the season.

Another strong home team all season has been Saint Francis (BKN). The Terriers hosted Wagner on Thursday and won in a putrid 51-44 game that saw both teams shoot under 35 percent from the floor. A win against FDU could have put them in a position for a home playoff game, but the Knights handled them by 11. SFBK now sits at 6-6 in a tie with Wagner.

Things get tight again for the eighth and final playoff spot as there is a three-way tie between CCSU, LIU Brooklyn and Bryant.

Bryant was the big loser of the week being the only team to drop both contests. After failing to crack 60 against Robert Morris, they were handled by Saint Francis (PA). The Bulldogs will return home to take on SHU before then traveling to SHU.

CCSU is trending in the other direction. Facing the dreaded Pennsylvania road trip, the Blue Devils managed to pull off the upset against Robert Morris. Tyler Kohl has looked like one of the best players in the conference again following a four-game lull. They will have a crucial matchup with LIU Brooklyn which could determine the final playoff spot.

With just three weeks remaining on the schedule, seven of the teams sit just two games apart. It would not be a surprise if things take until the final weekend for the playoff picture to unfold.