HACKENSACK, N.J. –   The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team fell to the University of Hartford, 69-59, on Sunday, Dec. 9 at Stratis Arena. With the loss, the Knights drop to 4-5 on the year, while the Hawks improve to 5-4.

After leading at the half, the Knights were outscored 39-25 in the second half. Hartford held the Knights to just 29.1 percent from the field in the second half to earn the win.

Hartford scored on its initial possession and took a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes before the Knights responded. Baskets from seniors Lonnie Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach), Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Bishop Stepinac) and Kinu Rochford (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) enabled the Knights to tie the game at six, four minutes into the game.

A fast-break layup and made free throw by Sidney Sanders Jr. (Charleston, S.C./Burke) gave FDU its first lead of the game, 9-8, at the 15 minute mark.

The Knights continued to gain momentum with two dunks from Robinson and one from Bolding and took a five-point lead midway through the half.

Hartford consistently fought back but was unable to cut the Knights' advantage in the first half. A fast-break dunk by Bolding put the Knights up 34-30 at the end of the half.

The Knights connected on 60.9 percent of shots over the first 20 minutes, while holding the Hawks to 50 percent.  FDU also outrebounded Hartford, 16-6. 

Rochford and Sanders Jr. opened the second half with baskets to increase the FDU advantage to eight points before an 18-0 run by the Hawks startled the Knights' offense.

While trailing by 10 points midway through the half, the Knights were unable to connect more than four consecutive points to cut the deficit. 

The Hawks used a strong passing game to cut time late in the half, and held the Knights to 44 points for four minutes.  A traditional three-point play by Rochford with four minutes to play cut the lead to single digits, but the Knights were unable to get within reach.

Hartford's Yolonzo Moore II sank 10-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes of play to seal the victory.  Moore led all scorers with 27 points.  He also led the Hawks with eight rebounds and three steals.

Robinson and Rochford led the Knights' with 13 points each, while freshman Sekou Harris (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield High School) added 11 points for FDU.  Rochford led the team on the boards with nine rebounds, falling just short of his fourth double-double.

Overall, the Knights shot 44.7 percent, while allowing Hartford to connect on 46.7 percent of shot attempts.  The Knights outrebounded Hartford, 27-22, but allowed 22 turnovers that led to 25 Hartford points.

Following a brief break, the Knights will continue action on Saturday, December 22 at Vermont.  Tipoff in Burlington, Vt. is scheduled for 2 p.m.