Box Score

New Britain, Conn. – Freshman Marques Townes (Edison, N.J./St. Joseph (Metuchen)) scored nine of his 16 points in the second half and senior captain Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) scored a team-leading 17 points to lead the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team to a 73-67 win over Central Connecticut State Saturday afternoon in the Northeast conference opener for both teams. The victory improved to the Knights to 6-6 (1-0 NEC), while CCSU falls to 2-12 (0-1 NEC) overall.

"Road conference wins are so hard to get and tonight's win was no exception," said FDU Head Coach Greg Herenda.  "This group has a great deal of improving to do but they also have a great belief in themselves and their ability to win.  I am proud of every player that put on a blue jersey today."

Central led most of the game but a three-pointer by Jones (7:22) gave the Knights a 57-55 advantage.  The Blue Devils would deadlock the game on the next possession before FDU held the hosts scoreless over the next three minutes while jumping out to a 62-57 lead (3:53).  The Knights closed out the game by knocking down eight free throws to seal the win.

Junior Xavier Harris (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution), the only other Knight to score in double figures, came off the bench to net all of his 10 points in the second half.   The FDU bench outscored the CCSU bench 34-5.

The Knights will return to action on Monday, Jan. 5, as FDU heads to Brooklyn to take on the Blackbirds of LIU. The contest will be the second of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. NEC Front Row, as with every conference match-up, will carry a live video broadcast.