HACKENSACK, N.J. – Led by junior guard
Darian Anderson's 25 points and another strong team defensive effort, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team maintained its spot atop the Northeast Conference Standings by defeating LIU Brooklyn 83-66 at Stratis Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Anderson led the Knights (9-10, 7-1 NEC) with 25 points on an efficient 6-for-9 (66.7%) shooting performance from the field and a 11-for-12 (91.7%) effort from the free throw line. The junior guard filled up the box score with a team-high nine rebounds to go along with five assists and three steals.
With the win, the Knights match their best conference start in history at 7-1 and remain tied for the top spot in the NEC with Mount St. Mary's. The victory also snapped LIU Brooklyn's (13-8, 6-2 NEC) six-game winning streak.
The Knights defense held their opponent below its scoring average for the third straight game as they forced 18 LIU miscues in the win. Over the last five games, the Knights have forced an average of 17 turnovers.
Following the win, head coach
Greg Herenda said, "That was a quality win against a quality opponent. That was a team effort from top to bottom – and again – that is how we have been practicing day in and day out."
True to form, the Knights, who entered the game as the conference's top free throw shooting team, took care of business at the charity stripe with a 21-for-25 (84%) performance.
Stephan Jiggetts also filled up the box score for FDU with 14 points, six assists and four rebounds in the win.
Herenda continued, "It is great to coach great guards and today Darian and Steph showed just how good they are. On top of that,
Mike Holloway is playing way more consistently and with great poise. We are still a work in progress, but trust me, I love working with this group of young men. It is an honor and a privilege."
The Knights shot 54 percent (27-of-50) overall and connected on eight of 23 from downtown, while LIU shot 33.3 percent (16-for-48) overall in the loss. Holloway contributed to the Knights stellar shooting performance with an impressive 6-for-7 (85.7%) performance. The sophomore forward is shooting 66.7 percent (40-of-60) in conference games this season.
Seven miscues by LIU in the game's first eight minutes allowed the Knights to build an early 17-11 lead. The start was highlighted by
Malik Miller's offensive rebound and two-handed jam.
Despite the Blackbirds entering the bonus at the 13-minute mark, the Knights remained unfazed and after Jiggetts drained a long 3-pointer, led 27-17 at the under-eight media timeout.
The Knights defense limited the Blackbirds to a 3-for-12 (25%) start from the field.
With the defense swarming, the Knights opened up their largest lead of the half, 40-23, with 1:25 to play. LIU then netted the final five points of the half and entered the break trailing 40-28.
FDU forced 12 first-half turnovers and limited the Blackbirds to just 6-of-20 (30%) shooting in the stanza.
Darian Anderson paced the Knights with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals at the break, while Jerome Frink topped LIU with 10 points and three boards. The Knights also shot 15-of-26 (57.7%) from the field in the half.
The Knights maintained control and eventually built their lead up to 19 points, 62-43, following
Mike Schroback's 3-pointer with 8:49 to go.
Down the stretch, the Knights extended their cushion to 20 before back-to-back treys from Ashtyn Bradley and Raul Frais cut the deficit to 14, 70-56, with four minutes to play.
The Blackbirds would get as close as 13 but the game was never in doubt as the Knights closed out the game by connecting on 14-of-16 from the line down the stretch.
In the loss, Jerome Frink double-doubled with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jashaun Agosto was the lone other Blackbird to score in double figures with 11 points. Frink's effort on the glass helped LIU out-rebound the Knights 33-29 on the afternoon.
The Knights look to continue their winning ways when they head on the road for their next contest on Thursday, January 26 at St. Francis Brooklyn.
