HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team dropped a non-conference tilt 85-68 to Drexel inside the Rothman Center on Saturday afternoon.
Senior guard
Jahlil Jenkins paced the Knights with 18 points, while classmate and reigning NEC Co-Player of the Week
Elyjah Williams scored 16 on 7-of-9 from the field.
Drexel (5-2) was led by junior guard Camren Wynter's 31 points. Wynter made 12-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range on the day.
The Knights (1-6) led by one early in the second half before a 12-0 run by the Dragons flipped the game in favor of the visitors.
Coach Herenda's Thoughts
Postgame Press Conference (video)
"We just have not been able to sustain our level of play for a full 40 minutes yet this year but we will. Again, we came out of the gates extremely focused and with great defensive intensity but you need to continue that level of play on every possession."
"We will be fine once we are able to get all of our players on the floor and have all of our pieces fit. This has been a difficult stretch but our better days are ahead of us for sure. I still love the potential of this group – it's just a matter of time."
How It Happened
- Five minutes into action the Burgundy and Blue held a 15-11 lead after Williams buried his second three-pointer of the day.
- The Knights extended their lead to five, 27-22, when sophomore guard Callum Baker knocked down a corner three-pointer with 5:28 to go in the stanza.
- A 9-2 run highlighted by a three-pointer from Wynter put the Dragons on top 31-29 with 4:18 to play in the half.
- When the first-half dust settled, the visiting Dragons held a 39-35 edge thanks to a 57.1 percent shooting clip from the field. Wynter led the way for Drexel with 13 points.
- Jenkins and Williams paced the Knights with 14 points apiece in the first half. Williams made 6-of-7 from the floor in the half as the Knights shot 46.7 percent as a team.
- After the Knights briefly regained the lead out of the break, the Dragons responded with 12 straight points to capture their first double-digit lead of the afternoon, 51-40 with 15:51 to play in regulation.
- Two minutes later, Williams cut the deficit back to nine points before the Dragons rebuilt their double-digit lead, which they maintained until the final whistle.
Inside the Box Score
- The Knights shot 45.8 percent from the field and made 8-of-21 from three-point range. It is the fourth time this season in seven games that the Knights have made exactly eight three-pointers.
- By reaching double figures on Saturday, Jenkins has now scored 10 or more points in 75 career games.
- Reigning two-time NEC Rookie of the Week Joe Munden Jr. finished with seven points and five rebounds in the loss. It is his third, five-plus rebound effort this season.
- The Knights recorded eight steals and have now nabbed five or more in all but one game this season.
- Drexel out-rebounded the Knights 37 to 26 in the contest, the Knights' lowest output this season.
- Junior walk-on guard Sal Xheraj made his collegiate debut and logged three minutes.
Next Up
The Knights conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule when they visit Fairfield next Tuesday, December 22. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3.
