WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team was defeated, 73-54, by Monmouth University in a Northeast Conference matchup on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Multipurpose Activity Center. The Knights fall to 7-13 on the year, with a 2-5 mark in conference, while the Hawks improve to 7-12 on the season and 3-4 in the NEC.

Senior Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Bishop Stepinac) led the Knights' offensive effort with 18 points, while Kinu Rochford (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) and Yves Jules (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) also added double figures.  Rochford put in 10 points, while pacing the team with seven rebounds. Jules scored 10 in his first game back to action with the Knights.

Monmouth was led by three double-digit scorers, including Dion Nesmith who paced all players with 21 points. Christian White added 18 for the Hawks by going 4-for-6 from beyond-the-arc. 

The Hawks stifled the Knights scoring output in the second half to allow just 20 points. Monmouth scored 20 points on turnovers and 26 second-chance points to earn the win.

FDU and Monmouth traded baskets to open the game and were tied at 11 five minutes into the contest. Sparked by a three-point shot by Max Dielo, the Hawks went on a 9-0 streak to take a 20-11 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the half.

Trevor Charles (Brooklyn, N.Y./William E. Grady) sank four consecutive free throws for his first points as a Knight to cut FDU's scoring draught and create a run for the Knights midway through the half. Charles' points combined with a three-pointer from Bolding, a tip-in from Rochford and two free throws from Sidney Sanders Jr., the Knights created an 11-2 run to tie the game at 22 with 8:53 left on the clock. 

A jump shot from Jesse Steele helped Monmouth cut the Knights' momentum. With five straight points from Nesmith, Monmouth took a 35-30 lead with less than three minutes to play before halftime. Jules cut the deficit to one point on a layup but a jumper by Ed Waite and a made free throw by White put the Hawks ahead, 38-34, at the break.

FDU shot 50.0 percent from the field in the first half and held control from three-point range with a shooting percentage of 57.1. The Hawks converted 48.4 percent of shots but capitalized on a 22-12 advantage on the glass and scored 16 second-chance points.    

The Hawks opened the second half with an 8-0 spurt to increase their lead to double-digits. A three-pointer by Bolding cut the Hawk streak and brought the score to 46-37 with 16 minutes to play.

The Knights continued to battle but could not stop Monmouth's three-point attack. A shot from beyond-the-arc gave Monmouth a 63-48 advantage at the half's midpoint. The Hawks outscored FDU, 9-6, in the remaining minutes of the game to take the win, 73-54. 

Overall, the Knights shot 45.5 percent from the field, compared to Monmouth's 50.0 percent. The Hawks were in command of shots from long range with a 56.3 three-point shooting percentage, while holding FDU to 37.5 percent.

Monmouth dominated the rebounding effort, 27-26, and forced the Knights to commit 23 turnovers.

The Knights will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Hamden, Conn. on Saturday, Jan. 26 for a noon tipoff against Quinnipiac. The contest, held at the TD Bank Sports Center, will be broadcast on MSG and Fox College Sports.