LIU hosts Merrimack after Derring's 23-point showing

Merrimack Warriors (14-15, 8-7 NEC) at Long Island Sharks (13-13, 10-6 NEC)

New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Merrimack visits the Long Island Sharks after Mykel Derring scored 23 points in Merrimack's 80-79 victory against the Sacred Heart Pioneers.

The Sharks have gone 9-1 in home games. LIU averages 16.7 assists per game to lead the NEC, paced by Tre Wood with 3.8.

The Warriors are 8-7 in conference play. Merrimack allows 61.9 points to opponents and has been outscored by 3.3 points per game.

The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. The Warriors won 82-77 in the last matchup on Dec. 31. Jordan McKoy led the Warriors with 21 points, and Tyrn Flowers led the Sharks with 23 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Flowers is averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Sharks. Eral Penn is averaging 17.3 points over the last 10 games for LIU.

Jordan Minor is averaging 15 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.4 blocks for the Warriors. Ziggy Reid is averaging 12.2 points over the last 10 games for Merrimack.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sharks: 6-4, averaging 77.0 points, 38.8 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.5 points per game.

Warriors: 5-5, averaging 65.6 points, 26.3 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.0 points.

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