The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team dropped its eighth-straight contest Thursday night as Robert Morris defeated the Knights, 83-65, at the Sewall Center in Moon Township, PA. The home team used a 24-9 run to end the first half that broke the game wide open. With the victory, the Colonials improve to 7-9 (3-2 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 3-11 (2-3 NEC) overall.
Senior Terence Grier (Cranford, NJ/St. Thomas More Prep) tied his career high with 23 points to lead the Knights and knocked down 4-of-6 from behind-the-arc to set a new career high as well. Junior Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison) added 11 points, while seniors Mike Scott (Philadelphia, PA/Texas Christian) and John Galvin (Weston, CT/Weston) chipped in nine and eight points, respectively. Galvin also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
Robert Morris' Karon Abraham scored the first eight points of the game in the first 90 seconds, prompting an FDU 30 second timeout.
The Knights were able to bounce back by outscoring the Colonials 15-7 as Grier's three from the left wing tied the game at 15 with 13:54 left in the first half
Scott gave FDU its first lead of the game, 21-20 with a three-pointer. However, Robert Morris then took control outscored the Knights, 24-9, over the final 9:38 of the half to go into the break up 44-30.
Galvin's bucket to open the second half cut the lead to 12, but Robert Morris was able to outscore the Knights by 10 and take its largest lead of the game, 58-36, with 12:47 left in the game.
The Knights shot better than the previous couple games as they finished the game shooting 38.9 percent from the floor, including 10-of-19 from three-point range.
Robert Morris shot 50.9 percent and won the rebounding battle, 39-30.
"Robert Morris is a really good team," said Head Coach Greg Vetrone. "Terence Grier (Cranford, NJ/St. Thomas More Prep) is playing really, really well for us right now. We have to figure out a way to get better."
Abraham led all scorers with 24 points (17 in the first half). Velton Jones added 12 points, and Lijah Thompson chipped in 10.
The Knights have a quick turnaround as they travel east to Loretto, PA to take on Saint Francis PA on Saturday, Jan. 15. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
