Box Score Box Score


FAIRFIELD, CT - Freshman Darian Anderson (Washington, D.C./St. John's College ) hit a runner at the overtime buzzer, but the shot was waved off after the officials reviewed the play and the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team fell to Sacred Heart by a final score of 78-77 on Thursday night.  The Knights had needed a late three from Anderson to tie the game at 71-71 and force the extra period, but in overtime the Pioneers were able to edge out the victory.  The Knights fall to 7-11 and 2-5 in the Northeast Conference with the loss, Sacred Heart improves to 8-12 and 2-5 in the NEC with the victory.

Sacred Heart's Steve Glowiak connected on one-of-two free throw attempts with 25 seconds remaining in regulation, which gave FDU the chance to tie the game on the ensuing possession.  The ball found its way to Anderson who sank a three-pointer with 14.5 seconds on the clock, tying the game at 71-71 and forcing overtime.  Anderson's tying basket capped an incredible 10-1 run that erased what had been a nine-point Pioneer lead with just 1:33 left in the game.

Anderson and senior Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) each scored five points over the final 90 seconds to lead the comeback.  The duo also finished as the Knights' high scorers in the contest with Jones posting 22 points and Anderson recording 21.

FDU extended its halftime lead to nine points just 81 seconds into the period.  Sacred Heart would quickly erase the lead and eventually grabbed a 56-46 advantage with 9:05 left to play.  The Pioneers would maintain at least a two possession lead until the final 90 seconds of the game.

" The good news is that we finally got off to a great start," head coach Greg Herenda said after the game.  "We guarded very well in the first half and had a healthy early second half lead, but we could not extend it."

The Knights carried a 31-28 lead into halftime thanks to 9-2 closing run over the final 3:26 of the first period.  FDU held the Pioneers to just two points - a pair of free throws with 3.7 seconds remaining - after the final media time out of the half.  Three free throws by Darian Anderson (Washington, D.C./St. John's College ) coming out of the time out cut the deficit to 26-25, a basket by Marques Townes (Edison, N.J./St. Joseph (Metuchen)) gave the Knights the lead just seconds later.

Jones led the first half offensive effort with 10 points on three-of-six shooting.  He was two-of-four from beyond the arc and hit both of his free throw attempts.

Despite being outrebounded 25-12 in the period, the Knights did outscore the Pioneers 12-6 in the paint and allowed just three second chance points.

Sacred Heart controlled the paint in the second half with a 20-15 advantage in rebounding and also by outscoring the Knights 20-12 in the key.

The Pioneers held a 49-32 advantage on the glass in the game, but the Knights limited that advantage by forcing Sacred Heart into 25 turnovers.  The 25 opponent turnovers match the season-high for the Knights, which the team also did against Towson.

Junior Xavier Harris (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution) posted a team-high 10 rebounds with eight coming in the second half and overtime.  He was the only Knight to record double-digit boards in the game.

Sophomore Matt MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) was the third FDU player to post double-digit points in the game with 13.  MacDonald was four-of-eight shooting and connected on three three-pointers.

Jones' 22 points came on 6-of-16 shooting and Anderson's 21 were on 6-of-13 from the floor.  However, both players were excellent at the free throw line with Anderson going seven-of-nine and Jones seven-of-seven.  Jones also had team-highs of four assists and three steals.

"Our guard core of Mustafaa, Darian and Matt need to continue to score like they did tonight.  There is zero quit in this team, but we just need to play better for all 40 minutes."

The Knights shot 36.4% (24-66) from the floor compared to 44.8% (26-58) by the Pioneers.  SHU also shot over 40% from behind the arc, while the Knights were just 8-of-30 from three.  At the free throw line FDU was 21-of-30 and SHU was 20-of-30.

FDU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 24 against LIU Brooklyn at the Stratis Arena.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. following a 2 p.m. contest between the FDU and LIU women's basketball teams.