NEC Top 12 Games of 2012: #1

NEC Top 12 Games of 2012:

#1 – MBB: St. Francis Brooklyn at LIU Brooklyn, 2012 Battle of Brooklyn (LIU 81-78) – 2/12/12

For over three decades, basketball has been the bread and butter of the Northeast Conference. Memories and moments from NEC basketball have defined the league over the years, and are images that frequently get shown and remembered quite often, both during television broadcasts and online. It was fitting that the year started back in January with former Indiana Pacer and two-time NEC Player of the Year Rik Smits, and the winningest head coach in NEC history, Tom Green, both earning induction into the NEC Hall of Fame.  On the court, 2012 would see three men’s teams (LIU-Brooklyn, Robert Morris, and Wagner) finish with 25 or more victories, and also see three teams (LIU-Brooklyn, Robert Morris, and Quinnipiac) advance to the postseason. It was the second time ever that the NEC sent three teams into postseason tournaments. The conference year would eventually end with another one of those memorable images, Spike Lee cheering on the Blackbirds as they wrapped up their second straight NEC Championship and NCAA Tournament automatic berth in front of a national TV audience. However, it was just about a month prior to the trophy being raised, on the very same Wellness, Recreation, and Athletic Center court in Brooklyn, in which the defining game of all NEC games in 2012 would be played…

The Battle of Brooklyn is an annual rivalry game between the NEC’s two Brooklyn based schools, LIU Brooklyn and St. Francis Brooklyn, which started back in 1975-76 season. For the last 36 years the two schools, located about a mile of Brooklyn streets apart, have been getting together for the Battle of Brooklyn trophy. It’s been in just the last few that the rivalry has really heated up. Over the last 10 Battle of Brooklyn games, each team had managed to win five. In 2010, the game went into triple overtime, before St. Francis squeaked out an 88-84 win. In the 2011 matchup, overtime appeared to be in the cards again, but C.J. Garner had other ideas, making a game winning, last second shot for an 82-80 win that brought bragging rights back to the LIU campus. The Blackbirds victory in 2011 extended their all-time Battle of Brooklyn series lead to 20-16.

Scheduled for just two days in front of Valentine’s Day, there was certainly no love lost in the 2012 'Battle'. The stage was set for LIU and St. Francis to renew pleasantries once again, this time in front of the NEC’s television cameras at the WRAC. The Blackbirds came in at 12-1 in conference, and as the defending champs. LIU-Brooklyn had also managed to win 21 straight games in their home nest, the third largest win streak in the nation at that point. On the other side, St. Francis was in the midst of  a special season under head coach Glenn Braica. The Terriers had already equaled their conference win total from all of 2010, and were winners of nine of their last 11 games overall.

The game would flow just as you would expect the game to go. It was a hard fought, physical battle. The contest featured an amazing 12 ties and 12 lead changes with neither team able to gain much separation from the other. The Terriers biggest lead was seven, while LIU led by as many as nine.

Halfway through the first half, the Blackbirds would find themselves just up by a single point, 25-24. Off of a steal by C.J. Garner, the junior guard led a two on one fastbreak up the floor, finding teammate Julian Boyd for a thundering, one handed, ally-oop dunk. The slam was so ridiculous that it prompted NEC-TV play-by-play announcer Dave Popkin to exclaim, “Are you kidding me?” on his call of the play. Terrier junior Akeem Johnson led a small charge, scoring seven points over the next four minutes, helping to pull St. Francis back in front, and eventually take a 42-40 lead into halftime. Johnson would have 17 points at the intermission.

With just under 12 minutes to go in the second half, Sportscenter would receive a Top 10 play nominee as Olasewere intercepted a St. Francis pass and then raced all alone on a breakaway to the opposite side of the floor where he thew down a thunderous, one handed, "Showtime" dunk, bringing the WRAC into a frenzy.

Then, with just over six minutes remaining in the game, Coach Ferry’s crew found themselves up by eight, 70-62. The Terriers would unleash an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to draw even. Travis Nichols hit a three, Johnson followed with a layup after an offensive rebound, and Nichols again came up clutch from downtown, tying the game at 70 with just 4:10 to go. With LIU over the  foul limit, a Julian Boyd foul after a missed three by Culpo sent Ben Mockford to the stripe, who made a pair, giving the Terriers their first lead in almost ten minutes. Nichols would add another three, pulling St. Francis in front 75-70 inside of three minutes.

With St. Francis in front 77-74 in the final minute of play, Olasewere received a handoff from Brickman at the top of the key. Seeing a small opening, Olasewere drove aggressively straight through the lane to the basket, sinking a layup and drawing a foul. He would complete the three point play with a make from stripe, knotting the game up at 77 all. With just 30 seconds remaining, Olasewere, who scored a game high 32 points, committed his fifth foul. Johnson would only make one of the two free throws, giving St. Francis Brooklyn a 78-77 edge. Off the inbounds, Brickman crossed the timeline and moved to his left, feeding Boyd in the lane. Boyd received the pass, spun around, and knocked in a go-head jumper from about 10 feet away on the NEC logo. With just 18.9 seconds to spare, the Terriers crossed over into their half court, and fed their leading scorer Johnson on the right elbow with his back to the basket. As precious seconds were expiring, Garner came from behind to try and pry the ball loose. Johnson felt the pressure coming and started his move to the basket. With Boyd guarding him, Johnson momentarily lost control of the ball, regained possession, but then committed one too many steps, causing a traveling violation turnover with just 1.2 seconds left to play.

After a Terriers timeout, they would commit a foul with 0.8 to go. Garner stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to put the Blackbirds ahead 81-78. Still a one possession game, the Terriers had one last chance to tie. Jalen Canon would inbound to Johnson in the center of the floor about 30-35 feet away from the basket. Johnson had a good look but the shot was late, and off the mark in any case. The Blackbirds would capture their second straight Battle of Brooklyn and the #1 NEC game of 2012, 81-78.

Olasewere would take home 2012 Battle of Brooklyn Most Valuable Player trophy with a career high 32 points, going a perfect 11 for 11 from the floor. Julian Boyd would finish with a double-double, 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jason Brickman added 12 assists. Akeem Johnson recorded 23 points to lead St. Francis.

NEC-TV play-by-play announcer Dave Popkin, who was on the call for this game with his longtime tag team partner Tim Capstraw, recently commented on what made this particular game so unique and special: “I remember that the game was played at a very high level of intensity. LIU was down much of the game and had to show a lot of grit to come back. There were plays in that game from Julian Boyd, Jamal Olasewere, Jason Brickman, Ben Mockford, and Akeem Johnson that you don’t normally see in the NEC – alley oop jams, tough ‘and-ones’, fade away jumpers. The game was played at a very high level and I think it was one of those touchstone moments where you say the league has really taken a noticeable step forward in regards to talent and excitement.”

2012 has truly been an amazing 366 days in the Northeast Conference. There have been so many amazing team and individual efforts and accomplishments that made creating a list such as this very difficult to do. Now that the reminiscing is through, we can all look ahead to what appears to be an even more promising year in store for the NEC in 2013. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

P.S. One might want to set their calendar for Sunday, February 10, 2013, a noon tip at the Barclays Center for the 2013 Battle of Brooklyn game. Going off the body of work that these two rivals have against each other in these games over the last three years, this year's 'Battle' may very well end up being a top candidate once again for game of the year when we reconvene next December to discuss the Top 13 of 2013!

Box Score

LIU Brooklyn Game Recap

St. Francis Brooklyn Game Recap

Battle of Brooklyn Highlights

 

Previous Top 12 NEC Games of 2012:

#2 – SOFT: Quinnipiac vs. Robert Morris (QU 4-3, 12 innings) – 5/11/12

#3 – MSOC: Fairleigh Dickinson vs. St. Francis (FDU 1-1, 6-5 in PK) – 11/11/12

#4 – BOWL: Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Nebraska (FDU 4-3) – 4/13/12

#5 – FH: Monmouth vs. Rider, NEC Field Hockey Championship (RID 3-2) – 11/3/12

#6 – FB: Central Connecticut State at Robert Morris (RMU 37-31) – 10/20/12

#7 – MLAX: Mount St. Mary’s vs. Robert Morris (MSM 16-15, OT) – 5/4/12

#8 – SWIM: Day Four of the NEC Swimming Championships (SFU 748-747) – 2/25/12

#9 – BASE: Wagner at Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU 4-3, 12 innings) – 4/7/12

#10 - WSOC: LIU-Brooklyn vs. St. Francis, 2012 NEC Women’s Soccer Final (LIU 1-0) – 11/4/12

#11 – WVB: Robert Morris at Sacred Heart (SHU 3-2) – 10/13/12

#12 (tie) – WBB: Central Connecticut State at St. Francis (SFU 86-83, 2OT) – 2/20/12

#12 (tie) – WBB: LIU-Brooklyn at Monmouth (MU 55-54) – 2/25/12