PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY LEVANTI, FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
HACKENSACK, NJ- In their first home game of the new year, the Fairleigh Dickinson men’s basketball team loses a hard fought NEC contest against Sacred Heart 77-75. The loss drops FDU to 3-11 on the season (1-2 NEC) while Sacred Heart improves to 9-7 (2-1 NEC). The Knights were led by G Jahil Jenkins who had 24 points along with 2 assists and 2 steals while F Kaleb Bishop had 19 points plus 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Two other Knights had double digits G Xavier Malone-Key (14) and G Brandon Powell (10). The Pioneers were led by G Koreem Ozier (23 points), F E.J. Anosike (19 points, 12 rebounds) and F Jare’l Spellman (14 points, 10 rebounds).
After a slow start down 22-10 at the U12 time-out, the Knights mounted a fierce comeback to close out the first half with a 41-35 lead. G Brandon Powell had 2 big treys to fuel this comeback. The second half saw both teams go through dry spells while the Knights held the lead ultimately until 8 minutes left when the Pioneers tied the game at 64. The game featured 7 tied scores and 6 lead changes. The Knights then fell behind until tying the contest at 75 with 8 seconds to go. Sacred Heart then inbounded the ball with ended up in the hands of G Cameron Parker who was fouled with less than one second left. Parker then hit 2 FT’s to win the game.
The Knights travel to Brooklyn to play Long Island University on Saturday January 11th.