RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Under the wing of second-game acting head coach Pete Lappas, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team (0-6, 0-0 NEC) posted their first halftime lead of the season, a lead sustained for 24:22, nearly double the time of the hosting Manhattan Jaspers (5-1, 0-0 MAAC), however the Burgundy and Blue fell short with Manhattan taking the 78-73 win at Draddy Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Sophomore John Square Jr. posted a career night with a team-leading 19 points and seven rebounds.

How it Happened 

• Square Jr. shot 73 percent from the field (8-for-11) in 33 minutes of play. The North Bethesda, Md. product also added in two blocks.
• Both junior co-captain Devon Dunn and freshman Antoine Jacks posted a team-high five assists. Jacks added four steals which is his most in a single game.
• FDU held the halftime advantage, leading the Jaspers 41-35 after the opening period.
• Freshman Oscar Berry came off the bench for 15 minutes of action and contributed nine points and one rebound on the hardwood. Berry shot 60 percent from the field in his second career appearance.

Inside the Box Score 

• FDU's lead at the break was their first of the regular season.
• With thanks to Manhattan's streak of offensive fouls midway through the second half, along with over possession changes, the Knights posted seven points off turnovers.
• The Knights' 16 assists are their most in a single game this season, while the team's eight combined steals tie the eight posted earlier in the season at Northwestern on November 18.

 Coach Lappas' Thoughts

"I'm really proud of how our guys played against a tough Manhattan team in a game that could have gone either way down the stretch. We are still learning how to close games and I think that was an important experience to go through."

"It was a 'next man up 'mentality when we found out we wouldn't have Brandon Rush for the game and players like Oscar, Ansley Almonor and Anquan Hill were unbelievable in their minutes. Our depth is really starting to show and we are excited to continue to improve everyday."

To view the full postgame press conference, please click here or the image above.

What's Next

The Knights next play on Thursday, December 2, as the Knights head to Drexel in a game rescheduled from November 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. live on FloHoops from Philadelphia, Pa.

The 2021-22 men's basketball season is presented by Bogota Savings Bank.