HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's basketball team was defeated 85-61 by St. Francis Brooklyn on Thursday, Feb. 14 in a Northeast Conference contest at Stratis Arena. With the loss, the Knights drop to 7-19 on the year, with a 2-11 conference mark, while the Terriers improve to 10-14, with a 6-7 NEC record.

The Terriers took a 45-37 lead in the first half and outscored FDU 40-24 in the second half to earn the 24-point victory. 

After trading points to open the contest, the Terriers produced an 8-0 streak to take a 14-6 lead seven minutes into the game.

St. Francis extended its edge to 12 points midway through the half before a three-pointer by Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark/Falkonergaardens Gymnasium) cut the score to 25-16 and stopped the Knights' scoring draught. 

The Knights fought to construct a six-point run and cut the deficit to 37-33 with four minutes to play in the first half, but six points by Travis Nichols and two free throws on their final possession gave the Terriers a 45-37 advantage at halftime.

The Knights held a slight gain on the floor in the first stanza with a 45.2 shooting percentage compared to the Terriers' 44.1, but the Terriers controlled the backboard with a 20-17 edge. The Terriers also earned eight points on six FDU miscues, while limiting themselves to just two turnovers.

The Terriers opened the second half with seven consecutive points to increase their advantage to 52-37 and would never relinquish a double-digit lead. 

Near the 13-minute mark, Trevor Charles (Brooklyn, N.Y./William E. Grady) sparked an 8-2 run for FDU with six straight points in the paint to bring the Knights to within 14.

Led by Akeem Johnson, the Terriers maintained control of the game and steadily increased their advantage. With four minutes left to play, the Terriers led 83-59. The final minutes of play saw just one FDU field goal and two made free throws by St. Francis.

Overall, the Knights shot 41 percent from the field, while St. Francis converted 42.2 percent of its shot opportunities. The Terriers converted 25-of-28 shots from the free-throw line, with FDU making just 7-of-10.

The Terriers held a small advantage on the glass, 38-37, and controlled ball movement with five turnovers compared to FDU's 17.

Individually, the game saw three players score 20 points or higher. Senior Kinu Rochford (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) led FDU with 20 points and 16 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season, while Johnson and Nichols each added 21 for the Terriers. Johnson paced all players with 17 boards.

Charles and Sidney Sanders Jr. (Charleston, S.C./Burke) added 11 and eight points for FDU, respectively. Charles went 5-for-5 from the field in just 13 minutes of play. Sanders Jr. recorded a personal career high and a team season high with 10 assists on the night, while turning the ball over just once.

The Knights travel to Brooklyn, N.Y. on Saturday, Feb. 16 to take on the Blackbirds of LIU Brooklyn. Tipoff at the Wellness, Athletic and Recreation Center is slated for 4:30 p.m.