Box Score

The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team dropped its third consecutive contest as they fell at home to Sacred Heart, 66-57, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast Conference tilt at Stratis Arena in Hackensack, NJ.  With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 11-14 (5-7 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 2-21 (1-11 NEC) overall.

Graduate student George Goode (Raytown, MO/Raytown South) flirted with a triple-double as he scored a game-high 19 points, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and dished out a career-best six assists to lead FDU.  Senior Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison) added 14 points to tie his season high.

Shooting was the biggest difference in the game as the Knights shot only 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the floor and only connected on 4-of-24 from three-point range.  Sacred Heart shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) including 52 percent (13-of-25) in the second half.  The Pioneers also made 6-of-17 from behind the arc.

Leading 28-27 late in the first half, Sacred Heart rolled off nine-straight points which included the first seven of the second half to take a 37-27 lead with 17:52 remaining in the contest.  The run gave the Pioneers the separation they needed for the rest of the game.

The lead changed hands seven times over the first 20 minutes.  Five consecutive points by Smith gave the Knights an early 13-10 lead with 12:44 to go before halftime.  However, Sacred Heart scored eight unanswered points to take an 18-13 lead.

Two free throws by Goode with 10 seconds left in the half cut the Pioneers lead to one at 28-27, but a layup by Justin Swidowski at the end of the first half gave Sacred Heart some momentum and a 30-27 advantage heading into halftime.

FDU shot only 34.5 percent (10-of-29) in the first half and made only 2-of-10 from three-point range.  The Pioneers shot 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from the floor and made 3-of-6 from behind the arc.  They also went 7-of-9 from the free throw line, while the Knights made all four of their attempts.

Sacred Heart's eventually outscored the Knights, 23-9, from the end of the first half to take a 51-36 lead with 11:25 left in the game.
FDU was able to cut the lead to seven at 64-57 on Smith three-point play with 1:32 to go, but that was the closest FDU would get as the Pioneers took the contest, 66-57.

The Knights dished out a season-best 19 assists on their 22 made baskets, while turning the ball over 13 times.  They forced Sacred Heart into 14 turnovers but lost the rebounding battle, 34-29.  The Pioneers outscored FDU, 11-4, on second-chance points.

FDU also went 9-of-10 from the free throw line, and the Pioneers made 10-of-13 freebies. 

“We cannot expect to win with how poorly we have shot the ball over the past two games,” Head Coach Greg Vetrone said.  “George Goode (Raytown, MO/Raytown South) played excellent for us today.”

Shane Gibson, the leading scorer in the NEC, and Louis Montes both came off the bench to lead Sacred Heart with 16 points.  Swidowski added 10 points, while Stan Dulaire pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. 

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 8 when they host Monmouth as part of NEC Rivalry Week.  FDU will play the Hawks at home before traveling to their place next Saturday to complete rivalry week.  Tip-off for Wednesday's contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Stratis Arena.  The game will be televised on Fox College Sports.  Check with your cable company for local listings of the game.