HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team dropped a tough 88-54 loss to Robert Morris University on Thursday, Jan. 10 at Stratis Arena.  With the loss, the Knights fall to 6-9 on the season with a 1-2 Northeast Conference record.  The Colonials improve to 9-7 this year with a 1-2 conference mark.

The Colonials led FDU from three-point range to maintain control of the game.  RMU made 13-of-24 three-point shots, with Coron Williams leading the way, making 8-of-10 and scoring 27 points for the Colonials.

Senior Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Bishop Stepinac) led FDU with 17 points and five rebounds.

“Give them all the credit,” said Head Coach Greg Vetrone.  “A guy gets 27 points, goes 8-for-10 from three-point range, they were tougher than us.  All-in-all, every facet of the game, they were better tonight.  I give them a lot credit.  Andy Toole was not going to let them go 0-3.”

The Knights and Colonials traded three-point shots to open the game, each with two made shots from distance and eight total points in the first three minutes.

Following the tie score, Robert Morris orchestrated a 15-6 run to take a nine-point lead midway through the half.

A three-point shot by Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) cut the RMU advantage to 25-20 with seven minutes on the clock but it would not stop the Colonial's momentum.  Robert Morris finished the half with a 14-0 run in the final five minutes.  A long range shot from freshman Sekou Harris (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield High School) gave the Knights three more points as the first half ended.

At the break, the Knights trailed 44-25. 

Robert Morris led the Knights in all statistical categories in the first half.  The Colonials held the advantage in shooting, 55.6 to 42.9 percent, and three-point shooting, 53.8 to 36.4 percent, as well as rebounding, 18-9.

The Colonials used a 17-4 run, which included four three-point shots, to take complete control of the game early in the second half.  After trailing by 32 with 14 minutes to play, the Knights created a 10-point streak to cut the deficit to 22 points, but it was the closest they would come to catching the Colonials.

The Knights continued to add to their point total but could not stifle RMU's hot three-point shooting.  The Colonials ultimately made 13 three-point shots and earned the win, 88-54.

The Knights shot 40.4 percent on the night, compared to the Colonial's 55.9 percent.  The Colonials scored 21 points by capitalizing on 17 FDU turnovers and added 32 points in the paint.  Overall, FDU was out-rebounded, 37-23.

In addition to William's 27 points, Robert Morris had four others score double-digits in the win.  Russell Johnson led all players on the glass.  He recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

The Knights' had a trio of double-digit scorers.  Bolding paced the team with 17 points, while Kinu Rochford (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) and Harris added 13 and 11 respectively. 

After played 12-of-14 games on the road to begin the season, the Knights hold a 1-2 record at home.  They will continue a four-game home stand on Saturday with a 7 p.m. game against Saint Francis University.  The Red Flash are also 1-2 in Northeast Conference action after falling to Monmouth, 65-60 on Thursday evening.