HACKENSACK, N.J. — Sophomore guard
Brandon Rush exploded for a career-high 34 points and registered his first career double-double by adding 11 rebounds but the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team fell 83-75 to St. Francis Brooklyn at the Rothman Center on Tuesday night.
Rush's career-best performance came with an efficient 12-of-17 shooting effort, which included 7-of-10 from three-point range. The Warrensville, Ohio native now has two games this season in which he has buried seven shots from behind the arc.
After shooting 51 percent in the first half, the Knights (7-12, 6-7 NEC) cooled down and connected on 31.3 percent of their tries in the second stanza.
Coach Herenda Postgame (Video)
How it Happened
- The high-paced start was neck-and-neck before the Knights took a 25-23 lead just past the midway point of the half when Brandon Powell splashed a corner three-pointer.
- Rush had the hot-hand for the Knights as he connected on 8-of-10 and scored 20 of the team's first 37 points.
- Despite shooting 51.6 percent in the opening stanza, the Knights entered the break trailing by one, 42-41. The Terriers only connected on 38 percent from the field but took advantage at the line making 10-of-11.
- Five minutes into the second half, the Terriers stretched their lead to 56-49 after Chauncey Hawkins connected on a three-pointer.
- The Knights' deficit grew to 10 for the first time after Hawkins converted a pair of free throws with just over seven minutes remaining.
- Trailing by nine with under three minutes to go, a floater by Jahlil Jenkins was answered by Hawkins, who beat the shot clock with an off-balance, rainbow jumper that helped seal the win for the Terriers.
- The Knights were unable to get closer than five points over the final two minutes.
Inside the Box Score
- Rush's 34 points are the most by a Knight in a game since Mike Holloway Jr. scored 35 on February 21, 2019 against Sacred Heart.
- Williams, who played all 40 minutes, finished with five points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots in the loss and is now just six points shy of 1,000 for his career.
- The Knights blocked a season-high eight shots in the contest, their most in a game since December 12, 2018 against Army.
- Despite the cold-shooting second half, the Knights registered a higher percentage from the field 41 percent compared to the Terriers 40 percent however, the visitors took advantage at the free-throw line where they made 21-of-25.
- Jenkins was the lone other night to join Rush in double figures, finishing with 16 points in the loss. The senior guard moved into sixth place on the Knights' all-time scoring list, passing FDU Hall of Famer, Gordon Klaiber.
- With the loss, the Knights have now dropped three straight after winning four in a row.
- Three Terriers (6-8, 6-7 NEC) scored in double figures including Unique McLean and the aforementioned Hawkins, finishing with 25 points and 22 points, respectively.
Next Up
The Knights and Terriers meet again tomorrow at the Rothman Center with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.
