Box Score HACKENSACK, N.J. - Freshman Earl Potts, Jr. scored seven of his season-high 14 points in the final 3:04 of play to lead the FDU men's basketball team to a 76-74 come-from-behind victory over the University of Delaware this evening in Stratis Arena on the Metropolitan Campus of FDU. The victory improves the Knights to 4-5 on the year and snapped a two-game losing streak, while the Blue Hens fall to 0-9 overall.
"I am just so happy that everyone on our team contributed tonight and they all believed that we were going to win that game," said Knights head coach
Greg Herenda. "We were very fortunate tonight but this team has something inside of them. I said it before the season started, that this will eventually be a special group."
Trailing 66-74 with 3:04 to play, Potts hit a 3-pointer, took a charge, flushed a monster dunk while getting fouled, and hit a pair of free-throws that gave FDU a 75-74 lead with 26 seconds to play highlighting what proved to be a 10-0 game-ending run for the Knights.
"After the game I told Earl that he needs to change his major to Theater," commented Herenda on Potts' performance down the stretch. "He truly has a flair for the dramatic."
With 4.2 seconds remaining, Freshman
Darian Anderson (Washington, D.C./St. John's College ) converted the second of two freebies, forcing the Knights to guard for the final four ticks of the clock. In the closing seconds, the Blue Hens court-long inbound play was directed over the Delaware baseline by Potts. On the ensuing play Potts stole the pass, sealing the victory for FDU.
In what proved to be a complete team effort, the Knights had nine players score and four who scored in double figures, lead by Anderson's 16 points and Potts' 14 points. Sophomore
Matt MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) totaled 13 points on 4-of--6 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc coupled with a game-high seven rebounds, while
Malachi Nix (Evanston, Ill./Niles North) rounded out the Knights in double digits with 11. Delaware was led by Cazmon Hayes' game-high 21 points.
FDU will return to action on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 23, as they begin a four-game road swing starting with N.J. rival Saint Peter's. Tipoff from the Yanitelli Center is slated for 4 p.m.
