Arizona dominates LIU in March Madness opener to end best season in 14 years The LIU Sharks’ historic season came to an end in a lopsided NCAA Tournament loss to No. 1 seed Arizona, marking the conclusion of their best campaign in 14 years. The 16th-seeded Sharks fell to the Big 12 champions 92-58 at Viejas Arena, ending a run that included NEC regular-season and postseason titles. Despite the defeat, the team’s journey to the tournament represented a significant turnaround under coach Rod Strickland, who emphasized pride in his players’ effort and resilience. Strickland, a former Knicks point guard, acknowledged the challenge of facing a top-tier program like Arizona. “We played in the NEC, and we played a style. And we came in here and we tried to play that style, but we were playing against the top team in the country in length,” he said. The Sharks struggled from the outset, trailing 12-2 just 3:01 into the game. Arizona’s dominance was evident early, with the Wildcats leading by 24 points at halftime. The team’s physicality and shooting accuracy proved too much for LIU, as Arizona outrebounded them 52-31 and controlled the paint with ease. Arizona’s two projected NBA draft picks, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, combined for 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas dominated inside with nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Wildcats also shot 50% from beyond the arc, dispelling any doubts about their three-point shooting. LIU’s struggles were evident in their shooting efficiency, as key players like Malachi Davis and Jamal Fuller combined for just 5-of-21 field goal attempts. Despite the loss, the Sharks’ season was a testament to their growth. Mason Porter-Brown led the team with 15 points, while Greg Gordon added 12.#arizona #rod_strickland #brayden_burries #liu_sharks #kao_peat
