Sharks Edge Lakers in Nail-Biting Finish
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Brooklyn Athletic Center
Long Island University Sharks 60, Mercyhurst Lakers 58, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks?
Long Island University Sharks beat Mercyhurst Lakers 60-58 at Brooklyn Athletic Center on January 8, 2026.
Who was favored in Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks?
Long Island University Sharks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -455 (about 82% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Brooklyn Athletic Center, the Long Island University Sharks narrowly defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers with a final score of 60-58. This game showcased the intensity of college basketball, with both teams fighting hard until the final buzzer. The Sharks improved their record to 10-7, while the Lakers fell to 6-11.
The Sharks entered the game with a mixed recent form, having won five of their last ten games, and they were riding a two-game winning streak. In their last five outings, they averaged 78.8 points per game while allowing 79.0. Their home record stood at 2-1 in this stretch, showcasing their ability to perform well in front of their fans. In contrast, the Lakers had struggled, winning only three of their last ten games and coming off a win against the Le Moyne Dolphins. They averaged 66.4 points and allowed 70.2 in their last five games, with a dismal away record of 0-6.
Historically, the Sharks and Lakers have faced each other twice in the previous season, splitting the series with one win each. The Sharks won the last encounter at home, 72-63, while the Lakers claimed victory in the earlier meeting, 85-80. This history added an extra layer of competitiveness to the matchup.
In terms of injuries, both teams appeared to be at full strength, which is crucial in a tightly contested game like this. The absence of key players could have shifted the dynamics significantly, but both squads were able to field their best lineups.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Sharks favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 139.5. The moneyline odds were -455 for the Sharks and +350 for the Lakers, indicating a strong belief in a Sharks victory. However, the close scoreline reflected that the game was much more competitive than the odds suggested.
The conditions in Brooklyn were conducive to a good game, with a lively crowd that helped energize the players. The atmosphere was electric, with fans cheering on their teams, contributing to the high stakes and pressure felt on the court.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that every possession mattered. The Sharks took an early lead, but the Lakers fought back, showcasing their resilience. Key moments in the second half included a series of scoring plays that saw the lead change hands multiple times. With the score tied at 56, Malachi Davis made a crucial 13-foot floating jump shot to give the Sharks the lead with just seconds remaining.
Overall, this matchup between the Sharks and the Lakers was a testament to the competitive spirit of college basketball, with both teams demonstrating skill, determination, and a will to win. The Sharks' ability to close out the game in the final moments secured them a hard-fought victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LIU -8.5 | 139.5 o -112 / u -108 | Mercyhurst Lakers +350 · Long Island University Sharks -455 |
Leaders
- PointsMalachi Davis18Long Island University Sharks
- AssistsMalachi Davis6Long Island University Sharks
- ReboundsJamal Fuller8Long Island University Sharks
- PointsJake Lemelman19Mercyhurst Lakers
- AssistsJake Lemelman4Mercyhurst Lakers
- ReboundsMykolas Ivanauskas11Mercyhurst Lakers
Recent form
Long Island University Sharks
Last 10: 5-5Streak W277.6 scored · 79 allowed per game2-1 at home
- W74-55at Chicago State CougarsJan 4
- W84-78vs Central Connecticut Blue DevilsJan 3
- L74-89at Georgia BulldogsDec 30
- L79-86at Florida International PanthersDec 20
- L83-87at Mississippi State BulldogsDec 17
- W70-60vs La Salle ExplorersDec 13
- W87-82at Lehigh Mountain HawksDec 6
- L92-94vs Winthrop EaglesDec 3
- W75-61at Missouri State BearsNov 25
- L58-98at Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 22
Mercyhurst Lakers
Last 10: 3-7Streak W165.2 scored · 69.6 allowed per game0-6 away
- W74-60vs Le Moyne DolphinsJan 4
- L67-74vs Fairleigh Dickinson KnightsJan 3
- W82-61vs Binghamton BearcatsDec 20
- L62-76at Syracuse OrangeDec 18
- L47-80at Davidson WildcatsDec 13
- W80-51vs Bethany (WV) BisonDec 7
- L71-79at Lafayette LeopardsDec 6
- L38-70at West Virginia MountaineersNov 30
- L60-69at Marshall Thundering HerdNov 24
- L71-76at Miami (OH) RedHawksNov 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 24-11 | - | 15-3 |
| Central Connecticut | 18-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Mercyhurst | 17-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Le Moyne | 15-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| New Haven | 14-17 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Wagner | 14-17 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Stonehill | 12-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 11-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Saint Francis | 7-24 | 10 | 5-13 |
| Chicago State | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Mercyhurst Lakers | Long Island University Sharks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-55 | 22-54 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 4-13 | 3-11 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 27 |
| Free throws | 4-7 | 13-19 |
| Free throw % | 57 | 68 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 23 |
| Assists | 9 | 15 |
| Steals | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 36 |
| Fouls | 17 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 29 | 63 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half18-27Bernie Blunt III makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 1st Half20-27Jake Lemelman makes 18-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half20-29Malachi Davis makes 4-foot floating jump shot
- 1st Half22-29Jake Lemelman makes driving layup
- 1st Half22-31Jamal Fuller makes 2-foot dunk (Greg Gordon assists)
- 1st Half22-33Malachi Davis makes 2-foot dunk
- 1st Half24-33James Thomas makes layup (Jake Lemelman assists)
- 1st Half24-34Isaiah Miranda makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half24-36Greg Gordon makes layup (Malachi Davis assists)
- 1st Half24-37Greg Gordon makes free throw 1 of 1
- 1st Half26-37James Thomas makes layup
- 1st Half26-38Malachi Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half26-39Malachi Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half29-39Jake Lemelman makes 30-foot three point jumper (Bernie Blunt III assists)
- 2nd Half31-39Mykolas Ivanauskas makes layup (Bernie Blunt III assists)
- 2nd Half33-39Bernie Blunt III makes driving layup
- 2nd Half36-39Bernie Blunt III makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jake Lemelman assists)
- 2nd Half39-39Jake Lemelman makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bernie Blunt III assists)
- 2nd Half41-39Qadir Martin makes 2-foot dunk (Jake Lemelman assists)
- 2nd Half42-39Deshaun Jackson Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-39Deshaun Jackson Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-41Jamal Fuller makes layup (Malachi Davis assists)
- 2nd Half45-41Jake Lemelman makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half45-43Jamal Fuller makes driving layup (Malachi Davis assists)
- 2nd Half45-44Jamal Fuller makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half47-44Christian Gamble makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half47-46Malachi Davis makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Greg Gordon assists)
- 2nd Half47-48Jomo Goings makes layup
- 2nd Half50-48Jake Lemelman makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half52-48Qadir Martin makes layup (Jake Lemelman assists)
- 2nd Half52-50Greg Gordon makes 6-foot floating jump shot (Jamal Fuller assists)
- 2nd Half54-50Jake Lemelman makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half56-50Bernie Blunt III makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half56-52Greg Gordon makes driving layup (Jamal Fuller assists)
- 2nd Half56-54Jamal Fuller makes driving layup (Jomo Goings assists)
- 2nd Half56-55Malachi Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-56Malachi Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-56Mykolas Ivanauskas makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half58-58Jamal Fuller makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half58-60Malachi Davis makes 13-foot floating jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Long Island University Sharks, below favours Mercyhurst Lakers.
Venue
- Brooklyn Athletic CenterBrooklyn, NY
- Attendance324
- OfficialsMikerlange Fleury
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond