Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team was defeated late Monday night at No. 5 Arizona, 100-50, to open the NIT Season Tip-Off at the McKale Center. With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Knights fall to 1-3 overall.

FDU held its own in the opening minutes, standing up to the bigger, more athletic Wildcats and their revolving door of interchangeable players. Senior Sidney Sanders Jr. (Charleston, S.C./Burke) repeatedly took his man of the dribble to get to the trim, scoring eight points in the first five minutes to bring the Knights back from a six-point deficit to knot the contest at 10-10.

"I was really proud of how we came out and executed and competed in the first half," Head Coach Greg Herenda said. "Arizona is very well coached, very talented and they defend as well as anyone in America."

But FDU did not have enough to keep up with Arizona once the Wildcats started rolling, as the hosts dropped a barrage of three's, dunks and putbacks to double the score. Arizona reeled off runs of 18-3 and 18-2 into halftime with a 51-24 lead.

The Wildcats didn't let up, either, shooting 54 percent, making 10 of 19 from 3-point range and outrebounding the Knights, 50-20, including 20 offensive rebounds that led to 27 second-chance points.

Sanders Jr. led FDU with 16 points, while freshman Matt MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) added 11 for the Knights.

"This game in this building will prove to be a great learning experience for our team," Herenda said. "I truly believe this game will make us a better team in January and February."

Gabe York led Arizona with 20 points, with Nick Johnson adding 16 for the Wildcats.

FDU will return to action Tuesday night at the McKale Center when it plays the No. 1 team in Division II, Metro State, who narrowly lost to Rhode Island on Monday night, 66-63. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.