HACKENSACK, N.J. – The defending Northeast Conference champion Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team tipped off its 2019-20 campaign in resounding fashion as they defeated FDU-Florham 101-52 at the Rothman Center on Tuesday night.
 
All 13 active members of the roster played and 12 Knights scored at least one point in the victory.
 
Leading the charge was junior forward Elyjah Williams who filled up the box score with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocked shots. Williams accrued his point total on a 9-of-10 shooting performance.
 
Preseason All-NEC selection, Jahlil Jenkins led all scorers with 21 points, while Brandon Rush scored 17 in his collegiate debut and senior forward Kaleb Bishop amassed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double without missing a shot on six tries.
 
The Burgundy and Blue shot 59.4 percent overall and converted 7-of-19 from behind the arc. Defensively, the Knights forced 23 turnovers and limited the Devils to 28.4 percent shooting.
 
Following his team's season-opening victory, seventh-year head coach Greg Herenda said, "I am really proud of how we came out and stuck to our game plan and went inside to Kaleb and Elyjah. We knew we had a size advantage and our guards did a great job of getting the ball to our guys in great places. We showed that we have a great deal of depth and youth and tonight was a great game to get everyone valuable experience. We have a lot to work on but this team has a ton of potential."
 
Prior to tip-off, the Knights celebrated their historic 2018-19 season with a banner unveiling ceremony.
 
"As far as the banner display – I just felt very proud, emotional and humbled by seeing our players reveal them to our crowd," Herenda continued. "Those banners are forever and those memories will be with us for eternity."
 
The Knights led 56-21 at the half and limited the Devils to 8-of-32 overall from the field including 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) from downtown. Through the first 20 minutes of action, four Knights scored in double figures led by Williams' 14 and Jenkins' 13 points. Bishop scored 11 with eight first-half rebounds and along with Williams, combined to shoot 12-of-13 from the field.
 
Using their inside presence to the set the tone, the Burgundy and Blue eventually increased their lead to as many as 59 points, 100-41, with four minutes to go.
 
In addition to the four Knights in double figures, sophomore Bassel Saliba Jr. finished with nine points and seven rebounds – both career-bests for the Hackensack native.
 
The Knights return to action this Friday, November 8 when they travel to Chicago to square off with DePaul. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. (EST) and the game will air on FS2.