The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team (2-2) fell in its home opener to the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay (2-4), 76-67, on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Rothman Center.
The Knights had four players in double-digits for the second consecutive game, with senior Andre Harris (Detroit, MI/Robichaud) (Detroit, MI) leading the way with 15 points. Senior Michael Peeples (Detroit, MI/Benedictine) (Detroit, MI) registered his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Cameron Tyler (Jamaica, NY/Notre Dame Prep) (Jamaica, NY) recorded 13 points. Junior Eric Hazard (Long Branch, NJ) came off the bench to contribute 12 points, netting 4-of-5 first-half three-pointers.
The Knights came out of the half blazing with a 10-3 offensive spurt. The run began as junior Bernell Murray (Stillwater, OK) connected on a long three and senior Jordan Ingram (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Carroll) (Philadelphia, PA) floated in a hook shot and was capped when Tyler tied up the game 42-42 with a three. Harris stole the ball on the other end and Tyler drove towards the basket to take the lead.
With the momentum in the Knights' favor, Murray pilfered a steal, and dished it off to Harris, who was fouled on his way up for the dunk. Ingram used an offensive rebound to connect on another bucket to give the Knights a four-point cushion, 46-42, but Josh Lawrence responded with a pair of three-pointers, reclaiming UWGB's lead, 50-48.
Back-to-back baskets by the Knights tied the game up for the second time as junior Manny Ubilla (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ) sank a jumper and Murray found Peeples right under the basket, but the Phoenix scored eight unanswered points to start a 14-2 run, taking a commanding 12-point lead, 68-56.
Harris converted a three-point play with just under three minutes remaining to make it 68-59. But UWGB built up their largest lead of the game, 73-59, hitting 4-of-5 from the line over the next 68 seconds. FDU went on an 8-1 run with under a minute remaining to shrink the lead down to 74-67, but the Phoenix hit two more from the line to seal the win, 76-67.
The game saw a slow start with only three field goals scored in the first four minutes. Murray stole the ball and took it cross-court for the lay-up to make it 5-4 in UWGB's favor.
Mike Schachtner was able to score in the paint to give the University of Wisconsin a 9-4 lead and the Phoenix built their lead to double-digits, 19-8. The Knights shot only 36 percent in the first half, while the Phoenix had 52 percent from the floor and 57 percent from three-point range.
Ubilla knocked down a shot from two feet behind the arc to make it 19-11 with 10:30 remaining and Peeples sank two from the line to bring the Knights within six.
Harris took an offensive rebound and muscled his way in for a put-back and on the ensuing possession, Hazard swished one from beyond the arc to make it 21-18. UWGB went on a 13-5 run over the next five minutes, capped with a Terry Evans dunk with 3:33 left in the half.
Fairleigh Dickinson closed out the half with a 9-3 run as Hazard sank his fourth three of the half at the buzzer to put the Knights within seven entering half-time, 39-32. Entering the half, the Knights received 16 points from the bench.
“They created huge problems for us all night from the three-point line,” said Head Coach Tom Green. “We need to be aggressive on offense- we can't just shoot jump shots, we need to put the ball on the floor and penetrate, try to drive.”
“I thought that our effort was good, we've played hard from start to finish for three-straight games. We just need to work on some things fundamentally and our offensive execution needs to be better.”
Lawrence and Schachtner combined to connect on 4-of-9 from long-range, with Lawrence putting in four treys in as many attempts. Lawrence and Schachtner led the team with 19 points, Ryan Evanochko had 15 points and nine assists and Ryan Werch posted 11. Evans led all players on the boards with 12 rebounds.
For the Knights, Ubilla dished out five assists, Harris swatted two blocks and Murray swiped three steals.
The Knights are back in action when they host Canisius on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m.
