The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team suffered its seventh-consecutive defeat Saturday evening to NEC foe Quinnipiac, 66-56, at Stratis Arena in Hackensack. With the victory, the Bobcats improve to 11-3 (3-1 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 3-10 (2-2 NEC) overall.
Senior Terence Grier (Cranford, NJ/St. Thomas More Prep) (Cranford, NJ) led the Knights with a game-high 20 points. Fellow classmate Mike Scott (Philadelphia, PA/Texas Christian) (Philadelphia, PA) added 12, while senior Kamil Svrdlik (Prerov, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Zlin) (Prerov, Czech Republic) ripped down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Quinnipiac led from the opening tip and took an early six-point lead before a Scott free throw cut the lead to 13-12 with 9:12 remaining in the first half. The visitors outscored the Knights, 18-9, the rest of the half to go into the locker rooms up 31-21.
The Bobcats opened the second half and extended the lead to the largest of the game, 40-25, with 16:06 remaining in the contest.
The Knights were able to claw their way back to under double-digits as consecutive baskets by Grier cut the lead to 62-55 with 2:31 remaining.
FDU was able to stop Quinnipiac on its next defensive possession and had a chance to cut the lead to even less, but a player control foul was called on Scott. The Bobcats were able hang on for the 66-56 victory.
The biggest difference in the game was turnovers as the Knights turned the ball over 18 times, including 11 in the first half, while the Bobcats turned it over only five times.
However, the Knights won the rebounding battle over one of the better rebounding teams in the country, 39-35, including 15 on the offensive glass.
"Our effort was much better than the previous night (versus Sacred Heart)," said Head Coach Greg Vetrone. "Terence (Grier) coming back gave us a lift. We had some easy opportunities inside early tonight and could not connect."
Deontay Twyman led Quinnipiac with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dave Johnson added 14 points, while Jamee Jackson chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Knights will hit the road for two-straight NEC games as they will travel to Pennsylvania to take on the two PA schools. Robert Morris is up first on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Moon Township, PA.
