Box Score

NEW YORK -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team was defeated by Columbia, 82-59, on Saturday at Levien Gymnasium. With the victory, the Lions improve to 7-5 on the season, while the Knights fall to 3-10 overall.

The difference in the contest game from behind-the-arc, with the Lions shooting 43.5 percent (10-of-23) and holding FDU to only 18.2 percent (2-of-11).  From the field, the Knights finished the game at 36 percent (18-of-50), while Columbia connected on an even 50 percent (23-of-46) of its attempts.

The Lions jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead, but FDU was able to claw back using a 12-3 spurt, as a three-pointer from senior Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark/Falkonergaardens Gymnasium) allowed the Knights to cut the deficit to 12-11 with 11:52 remaining before halftime.

After Columba extended the lead back out six, freshman Malachi Nix (Evanston, Ill./Niles North)'s steal and layup put FDU down 20-17 with 7:10 left in the first half.

However, the Lions would score the next seven points before eventually extending their run to 22-7 to take their largest lead of the half at 42-24 right before halftime, where they would lead by 15.

Columbia used its size advantage to shoot 59.1 percent (13-of-22) from the field and 4-of-10 from distance while holding a 16-9 edge on the glass. FDU shot only 27.3 percent (6-of-22) and only 1-of-6 from three.

"Columbia was very good all day, and we just never got anything going," Head Coach Greg Herenda said. "We couldn't buy a basket in the first half."

In the second half the Knights never really threatened the Lions, as the home team connected on six more trey balls en route to outscoring FDU by eight over the final 20 minutes. Columbia also won the rebounding battle, 35-25, and held an 18-11 advantage in points off turnovers despite each team committing 11 miscues.

Senior Sidney Sanders Jr. (Charleston, S.C./Burke) scored 20 points for the Knights to share game-high honors, with half of his total coming from the free throw line (10-for-14). Freshman Jayde Dawson (Montreal, Quebec/Brooks School) came off the bench to add 10 points and two steals, while sophomore Xavier Harris (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution) chipped in nine points and a team-best five rebounds.

Luke Petrasek led the Lions with 20 points. Maodo Lo and Alex Rosenberg added 14 points, while Grant Mullins (seven assists) and Cory Osetkowski added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

"We have a number of games at home coming up after the holidays, and we need to get into the Rothman Center and establish a home-court presence," Herenda said. "I really cannot remember when our last home game was."

FDU will have a 15-day idle period before returning to action at Stratis Arena on Sunday, Jan. 5 for a home contest with Hofstra at 4 p.m. The Knights and the Pride already played this season, with Hofstra coming away with the victory on Long Island back on Nov. 10.