Box Score HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team dropped a Northeast Conference game to Bryant on Thursday night at Stratis Arena. Senior
Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti)' last second three-pointer bounced out ending the Knights (7-17, 2-11 NEC) comeback attempt just three points short in a 74-71 setback against the Bulldogs (12-12, 9-4 NEC).
The Bulldogs were led by a 31-point performance from senior Dyami Starks. The Knights leading scorer was freshman
Darian Anderson (Washington, D.C./St. John's College ) who scored 19 points to lead the FDU offense.
"Dyami Starks was a problem that we did not have an answer for," head coach
Greg Herenda said after the game. "We just cannot find a way to get over the hump and it definitely hurts. We are paying our dues and taking our lumps, but ultimately this stretch will make us stronger."
The Knights trailed 35-30 at the half and fell behind by 10 points with 5:09 left in the game.
FDU and Bryant traded free throws to keep the Bulldog lead at 10 with 4:23 left to play. From there the Knights closed the game with a 16-9 run. Senior
Mustafaa Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) hit a pair of free throws and sophomore
Malachi Nix (Evanston, Ill./Niles North) connected on four in a row to cut the deficit to six. Nix followed with a jumper to make it a four-point game, but Bryant answered with a basket to push the lead to 69-63 with 2:16 to play.
On the ensuing possession, sophomore
Matt MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) drove to the hoop, scored a layup, and was fouled. MacDonald converted the free throw and FDU had cut the Bulldog lead to a single possession with just under two minutes left in regulation.
MacDonald hit two more free throws, with 12 seconds remaining, to cut the deficit to 72-71. However, Bryant's Curtis Oakley hit two free throws at the other end to help Bryant hold on for the win.
The Knights were an incredible 23-of-24 (95.8%) at the free throw line in the game. FDU's performance at the line is the highest for a Northeast Conference team since Mount St. Mary's set the conference record for free throw percentage (Minimum 20 Attempts) with a 26-of-27 night against Bryant on March 6, 2013.
The Knights shot just 21.4% (6-28) from beyond the arc and FDU was 38.2% (21-55) from the floor. The Bulldogs were 54.5% (24-44) from the field and 41.7% (10-24) from long range.
The Knights turned the ball over just five times in the game while forcing Bryant into 14 turnovers, including 10 FDU steals.
Anderson's 19 points came on a 7-of-13 shooting performance. He was joined in double figures by MacDonald with 16 points, Nix with 12 and Jones with 11.
Nix led the Knights at the free throw line connecting on all 10 of his attempts. He also dished out a team-high four assists.
"I can't say enough about the size of the heart of the smallest guy in the building. Malachi single handedly got us back in the game, but we just couldn't get over the hump and finish," Herenda added.
Starks' 31 points came on a 9-of-14 shooting effort with five three pointers and eight made free throws.
The Knights return to action on Saturday at Wagner. FDU and the Seahawks will tip-off at 4 p.m. following a game between the FDU and Wagner women's basketball teams.
