SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team earned a 63-62 win over Delaware State in exciting fashion Friday, Nov. 23 at the South Padre Island Convention Center.  After trailing by seven with 35 seconds to play, seniors Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Bishop Stepinac) and Kinu Rochford (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) led the Knights to their first victory of the season.  The Knights move to 1-3 on the year, while Delaware State falls to 3-3.

The win came down to the final seconds of the game.  With 35 ticks on the clock the Hornets made a free throw to give them their largest lead.  The Knights quickly inbounded the ball and dished it out to Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) on the right wing.  Jones sank a three pointer to put the Knights within four points with 27 seconds to play.

A steal by Yves Jules (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) gave FDU another opportunity.  Rochford grabbed an offensive rebound and used the put back to bring FDU within two points at 59-57.  After DSU sank two free-throws with 15 seconds to play, Rochford again brought the Knights within two on a layup.  Rochford was fouled on the play and inched the Knights even closer when he made the free throw.  Delaware State's leading scorer, Tahj Tate, went to the free throw line with five seconds on the clock but missed his second attempt and gave the Knights the ball with the score set at 62-60 in favor of DSU.

Bolding was fouled on the inbounds play and went to the charity stripe with 2.2 seconds remaining in the game.  Bolding sank his first shot to bring with the Knights within one point but missed the second attempt.  Rochford was there for his 14th rebound of the day and put the ball back up with one second remaining.  The layup gave the Knights the ultimate advantage, 63-62.

“Kinu was incredible,” said Head Coach Greg Vetrone.  “Nineteen points, 14 rebounds, that play he makes at the end of the game, but the biggest shot of the game was Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti).  Mustafaa didn't play as many minutes as he has been, but he didn't sulk.  He was tough and the shot he made was great.  Plus Yves in his first game really playing with 15 points makes it a total team effort.”

Rochford led all players with 19 points and 14 rebounds.  Jules and Bolding added 15 and 12 points for the Knights, respectively. 

After the Hornets took an initial lead in the first half, the FDU defense took charge, forcing two turnovers on the next two possessions.  A layup from Rochford and a three-pointer by Bolding gave the Knights a 5-4 lead early in the game.

Several great passing sequences enabled the Knights to go on an 11-6 run midway through the half.  During this time the Knights went 5-for-6 from the field with four assists and three forced DSU turnovers.  The run helped the Knights take a six-point lead.

With seven minutes left in the half, the Hornets produced a five-point string to cut the deficit.  The Knights responded with baskets from Jules and Xavier Harris (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution), but in the final three minutes DSU challenged FDU and tied the game at 23.

Shots from Harris and Bolding helped the Knights reclaim the advantage and go into the break with a 27-25 lead.

Rochford and Bolding led all scorers with eight points each in the first 20 minutes.  Rochford also led all players with seven rebounds. 

The Knights shot 41.4 percent through the first half, compared to the Hornets' 40 percent.  FDU also out rebounded DSU, 20-15.

Delaware State started the second half strong and outscored FDU, 12-6, in the first five minutes.  A three by Jules cut the Hornets' momentum before Jules swung the momentum in FDU's favor with two consecutive fast-break steals. 

Sparked by Jules, the Knights created a 10-point run midway through the half and reclaimed a six-point lead. 

The Hornets fought back with six-unanswered points to tie the game at 45 with nine minutes to play.  The teams tied the score four times over the remainder of the game. 

With three minutes to play, Tate led the Hornets with eight unanswered points to give DSU the seven-point lead entering the final minute of play.

The Knights' comeback sparked their first win of the 2012-13 season and pits them against Prairie View A&M in the fourth round of the South Padre Island Invitational. 

Overall, the Knights outshot DSU 46.3 percent to 45.8 percent from the field and held the advantage in rebounds (33-30), assists (14-8) and steals (10-9).

Saturday's game against Prairie View A&M is set for 1:15 p.m. at the South Padre Island Convention Center.