Jones has 23, Robert Morris knocks off LIU 75-66

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Velton Jones scored 23 points and Robert Morris held off Northeast Conference leader LIU 75-66 on Thursday night, snapping the Blackbirds’ nine-game winning streak and handing them their first league loss.

Jones also had seven assists, six rebounds and two steals for the Colonials (16-6, 7-2), who have won a season-high four in a row.

Robert Morris never trailed and the only tie was at 3-3. The Colonials led 34-26 at halftime after hitting 4 of 13 3-pointers compared to the Blackbirds’ 0 of 8.

With Robert Morris leading 64-49 with 6:11 remaining, LIU (14-7, 8-1) went on a 10-0 run, C.J. Garner and Julian Boyd scoring four points apiece to cut the deficit to 64-59 with 2:36 left.

Lijah Thompson answered with a three-point play for the Colonials, who maintained a six-point cushion from there.

Boyd led LIU with 25 points and 12 rebounds and Jamal Olasewere scored 18.