Jan. 23, 2006

Box Score

HACKENSACK, NJ - Senior Chad Timberlake (Brooklyn, NY) poured in a season-high 32 points to lead the Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team (8-8, 5-2 NEC) to a win over visiting Sacred Heart (9-9, 6-3 NEC), 81-73, at the Rothman Center on Monday evening.

Timberlake was 13-of-24 from the floor, including connecting on a trio of three-pointers. He added a team-high seven assists and senior Gordon Klaiber (Greenbelt, MD) gave the Knights 14 points. Junior Michael Peeples (Detroit, MI) chipped in 12 and sophomore Bernell Murray (Stillwater, OK) had 11. Junior Andrea Crosariol (Abano T., Italy) led the Knights on the boards with 12 rebounds.

Fairleigh Dickinson took hold of a 12-8 lead to start the game and a Timberlake layup gave the Knights a 17-10 advantage. The Knights, sparked by five-straight from Timberlake, were able to grab a 10-point (25-15) lead after a 10-3 run capped by Klaiber's three-pointer.

Jarrid Frye (Queens, NY) took control, scoring eight-straight Sacred Heart points to cut the Knights' lead down to four, 27-23, with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. But back-to-back three's by sophomore Eric Hazard (Long Branch, NJ) and Klaiber reclaimed FDU's 10-point edge, 35-25, with 2:50 remaining.

Timberlake, who finished the half leading the team with 14 points, hit a floater as the buzzer sounded to send the Knights ahead eight entering halftime, 37-29.

Frye started the second half with four straight points to put the Pioneers within four points, 37-33, but a layup by Crosariol widened the gap. Back-to-back Pioneer layups brought FDU's advantage down to two, 39-37, but the Knights again responded, scoring five unanswered points.

Timberlake converted a three-point play to give the Knights their biggest lead of the game, 70-57, with 5:39 left to play.

Frye netted a layup with 1:29 on the clock to skim the lead to four, but Klaiber grabbed an inbounds pass and fed Timberlake for a dunk. Klaiber again tipped the inbounds pass and was fouled in the process to seal the win.

"I'm elated with the win," said Head Coach Tom Green. "This is a big win since Sacred Heart was ranked first in RPI rankings of the conference."

"We talked before the game about playing better defense so we didn't get into foul trouble, which, fortunately, we were able to do."

"Chad is playing really well for us," said Green. "He's really been going out and trying to be assertive and now is the best time that could've happened."

Sacred Heart, who entered the contest tied for first in the NEC, was led by Frye's career-high 29 points. Kibwe Trim (San Juan, Trinidad) recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Drew Shubik (Stoystown, PA) added 12 points and Ryon Howard (Bronx, NY) chipped in 10. Tavio Hobson (Seattle, WA) had a team-high seven assists.

The Knights held a slight edge on the boards, 42-40, and out-shot the Pioneers in the first half (47 percent to 38 percent). FDU also held an advantage with 13 second-chance points, against Sacred Heart's seven. Only Sacred Heart's five starters put points on the board, with FDU able to hold the bench scoreless.

The Knights are back in action on Thursday, January 26 in Loretto, PA when they play at St. Francis PA at 7:00 p.m.