Morse scores 24, hits key free throws for Mt St Mary's

EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) Freshman guard Vado Morse scored 24 points and made two key free throws as Mount St. Mary's held off a late rally to defeat LIU Brooklyn 74-72 on Thursday night.

Tied at 32 at halftime, the Mountaineers scored the first nine points of the second half and held a double-digit lead into the final five minutes. As LIU rallied, the Blackbirds drew within 72-69 with one minute to go before Morse made two free throws for a 74-69 lead at 0:23. LIU's Ty Flowers hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left but by the time Flowers came up with a steal at 0:03 there was little time for Raul Frias to launch a 3-pointer that was off the mark.

Jalen Gibbs added 19 points for the Mountaineers (5-15, 2-5 Northeast Conference). Morse, the reigning Northeast Conference Freshman of the Week, made four 3-pointers, as did Gibbs.

Raiguan Clark led the Blackbirds (9-10, 3-4) with 22 points and eight rebounds, just missing his fifth double-double of the season.