CINCINNATI – The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team fell 117-75 in a high-scoring fight with Xavier University in the 2012-13 season opener on Friday, Nov. 9 at the Cintas Center.  The Knights begin the season 0-1, while the Muskateers move to 1-0.

The Muskateers shot a blistering 70.5 percent from the field, with 61.9 percent made from three-point range to defeat the Knights.  They had seven players score in double digits with Dee Davis leading the way with 22 points. 

Senior Lonnie Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) led the Knights with 20 points, while Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Bishop Stepinac) added 17.  Yves Jules (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) and Kyle Pearson (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, in their career debuts for FDU.

With three-point shots from Robinson, Bolding and Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) the Knights produced a strong start to the game and held a slight advantage in the first six minutes of play.  Two consecutive three pointers followed by a made free throw for Xavier broke the score open to give the Muskateers the lead. 

The Muskateers outscored the Knights 20-2 through the midpoint of the half to take a 35-17 lead with 10 minutes remaining.  They continued to build their advantage with three-point shots and held a 68-32 lead at halftime.

The Knights were outscored 49-43 in the second half but shot 51.9 percent from the floor and finished the game with a total of 75 points, 15 more than their 2011-12 season average.

Xavier held the advantage in rebounds 41-11 but produced nine turnovers compared to the Knights' seven. 

“I have to be happy when we shoot 42 percent and score 75 points,” said Head Coach Greg Vetrone.  “Xavier is a good team; much better than they're getting credit for right now.  But no matter what the other team does, it's exciting to see that our team can put together that kind of offense.”

The Knights continue the 2012-13 season next weekend with the start of the South Padre Invitational.  FDU will pass through Chicago to face Northwestern and Illinois State on Nov. 18 and 20. They will then travel to South Padre Island, Texas to take on Delaware State and Navy or Prairie View A&M after Thanksgiving.