The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team opened up its 2010-11 season with a 66-59 home loss against Stony Brook on Thursday night at Stratis Arena in the Rothman Center in Hackensack. With the Knights leading 29-27 with 2:00 to go in the first half, the Seawolves scored the final seven points of the half and the first five points out of the break to take a 39-29 lead, which they would never relinquish. The Knights were able to cut the lead to within three with 5:11 to go in the game, but that was the closest they would come. With the victory, Stony Brook improves to 3-1 on the season, while the Knights fall to 0-1.
After Stony Brook scored the first bucket of the game, freshman Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark/Falkonergaardens Gymnasium) (Dragoer, Denmark) scored the first two points of the Knights' season and of his career to tie the game at two.
The Seawolves were then able to take a 9-4 advantage before junior Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison) (Detroit, MI) knocked down a trey from the left corner to spark a 9-4 run that tied the game at 13.
With 9:30 to go in the first half, senior Kamil Svrdlik (Prerov, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Zlin) (Prerov, Czech Republic) converted an old-fashion three-point play to give the Knights an 18-15 lead.
Freshman Tyler Reynolds (Eugene, OR/Sheldon) (Eugene, OR) gave FDU its last lead of the game at 29-27 when he scored on a goal tend. The Seawolves then scored the final seven points of the half to go up 34-29 at the break.
Senior captain Mike Scott (Philadelphia, PA/Texas Christian) (Philadelphia, PA) led the Knights in the first half with nine points. Svrdlik added seven points and six rebounds. The Knights shot 35.3 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes, including only 15.4 percent from three-point range. Stony Brook shot 40.7 percent from the field and 4-for-11 from downtown. The Knights forced nine turnovers, while turning the ball over six times. Stony Brook held a 22-18 rebounding advantage.
Stony Brook extended its lead to 39-29 to open the second half and forced a quick 30-second time out by the Knights. A three-pointer by Scott and a missed three-point play opportunity by Svrdlik cut the deficit to 40-35 with 17:04 in the game.
After the Seawolves went back up eight at 50-42, Svrdlik stuffed Dallis Joyner on a dunk attempt for one of his career-best four blocks and started a fast break that ended with Mike Scott (Philadelphia, PA/Texas Christian) converting a three-point play. The free throw cut the lead to 50-45.
Down 53-47, Scott knocked down one of his three three-pointers on the night to cut the lead to 53-50 with 5:12 left in the game.
Stony Brook then scored the next seven points to extend its lead back to 10 at 60-50 with 1:41 to go.
However, the Knights had one final push in them as they fought to cut the lead to four with 30.1 seconds to go on Smith's driving hoop in the lane.
The Seawolves were able to hang on and pick up the victory, 66-59.
Scott led four Knights in double figures with a game-high 20 points. Smith and Svrdlik each added 11. Senior co-captain Terence Grier (Cranford, NJ/St. Thomas More Prep) (Cranford, NJ) chipped in 10 points.
Svrdlik completed the double-double with a career-high and game-high 14 rebounds. He also led the Knights with three steals. Grier and Scott each dished out four assists.
Bryan Dougher led Stony Brook with 14 points, and Dave Coley added 11. Chris Martin and Joyner had nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
FDU was able to hold Stony Brook to only 35.7 percent shooting from the field, but shot even worse, going 22-for-66 (33.3 percent). The Knights only shot 23.1 percent from behind-the-arc, and Stony Brook shot 31 percent from three.
The Seawolves also out-rebounded the Knights, 51-41. The Knights also forced 15 turnovers, while only turning the ball over nine times.
"I thought we played hard for our first game," said Head Coach Greg Vetrone. "Kamil was outstanding tonight. He played like an all-conference player. Mike Scott (Philadelphia, PA/Texas Christian) also played excellent."
"You can't shoot the ball that bad and expect to win. One positive was that we did not give up. Stony Brook is a good team. They are picked to win the America East Conference. We just have to build off this loss and play better."
The Knights return to action on Saturday, Nov. 20, when they take on Albany, another America East opponent. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Stratis Arena in Hackensack.
