David Hicks scored 22 points and Julian Boyd had a double-double to lead Long Island University to an 86-72 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday.
Boyd had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Blackbirds (24-5, 16-2 Northeast Conference), who have won 10 consecutive games heading into the NEC tournament.
Long Island erased a two-point halftime deficit by shooting 64.3 percent (18 of 28) from the field in the second half. Kenny Onyechi's three-point play gave the Blackbirds a 60-53 lead with 8:27 to play and Hicks' 3-pointer extended the margin to 68-57 with 5:56 left.
Long Island also outrebounded the Blue Devils 43-27.
Onyechi had 16 points and Kyle Johnson added 10 points for the Blackbirds.
Ken Horton had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Shemik Thompson had 12 points, Robby Ptacek added 11 and Chris Baskerville scored 10 for the Blue Devils (18-11, 11-7).
