LORETTO, Pa. - After having played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in all of NCAA Division I per KenPom, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team (1-10, 2-0 NEC) proved their mettle in league play and sailed past Saint Francis U (Pa.) (4-9, 0-2 NEC) by a 70-62 final at DeGol Arena on Friday.

How it Happened 

• FDU controlled the game from the opening tip with the Knights up 34-23 at the break. Junior guard Brandon Rush and sophomore guard Sébastien Lamaute each posted a team-leading eight points at the break. Lamaute also added nine rebounds in the opening period.
• Lamaute would finish the contest with a Knights single-game season high 15 rebounds and 14 points, good for his first career double-double.
• Greg Herenda's squad finished the final 2:45 of the first half on a 6-0 scoring run and Knights' shooters went 3-for-4 in the team's last four field goal attempts before halftime.
• In the second half, the Knights' lead grew to as many as 19 points early in the second half (46-27) before the home Red Flash closed the gap, however SFU would only tie the contest once and did not lead.
• Rush finished the contest with 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, his fourth-consecutive game played with double-digit points. The Warrensville, Ohio native would also contribute four rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Inside the Box Score 

• FDU's 28 made field goals are the most in a game this season. The Knights also logged eight steals for the third time this season (Northwestern, Manhattan) and combined for four blocked shots for the third time in 2021-22 (Seton Hall, Drexel).
• The Burgundy and Blue saw seven players log at least one point in the first half. A total of 10 student-athletes would see action in the contest.
• With only three returners (Rush, John Square Jr., Pier-Olivier Racine) in the rotation Friday, Knights' rookies combined for 118 minutes out of a possible 200.

Coach Herenda's Thoughts

"I am so proud of these guys for everything they have done off the floor during these very difficult times and today it paid off on the floor. I am very proud to come into a tough building and get their first legitimate road victory. You can't say enough about Séb's [Lamaute] performance with a huge double from the point guard position. He, B-Rush and Oscar Berry did a terrific job on the perimeter and Mikey and Quan [Anquan Hill] were warriors protecting our basket. I've said it from day one, this is a great group and the best is yet to come."

"I also have to say 'Happy New Year' to Danny [Daniel Rodriguez], Devon Dunn and Joe Munden Jr. and hopefully we can get them back soon. Same to all of our family and fans, please stay safe and healthy."

What's Next

Herenda's Knights return home to Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center on Thursday, January 6, at 7 p.m. when the Burgundy and Blue play host to Merrimack, Herenda's alma mater, in a nationally-televised Northeast Conference matchup which will air live on ESPN3 and SNY. Tickets are on-sale now at FDUKnights.com/Tickets with two special promotions, a buy one, get one (BOGO) offer for the Knights' following home game on Saturday, January 8, vs. Bryant and free admission for first responders from the Borough of Fort Lee.

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