FARMVILLE, Va. - In the closest game of the young season for FDU, the SIUE Cougars (2-2, 0-0 OVC) outlasted the Burgundy and Blue in a neck-and-neck battle down the stretch as the Knights fell to SIUE 79-78 on the opening day of the JK54 Classic. Graduate student guard Demetre Roberts paced the Knights with 22 points for the third time in four games as the fifth-year shot 9-for-17 from the field with four boards, four assists and a pair each of steals and blocks.

Roberts got things cooking early for Tobin Anderson's Knights as FDU (2-2, 0-0 NEC) took the early advantage off a jumper from Roberts.  Sophomore Ansley Almonor would continue to build the lead with his first triple of the night shortly after. Almonor would finish 3-for-9 from distance and conclude his performance 3-for-4 from the field before he accumulated his fifth foul with 1:22 to play in the second half. The Spring Valley, N.Y. native tallied 15 points in his fourth start of the season including a clutch three to tie the game at 76 before the foul call down the stretch.

SIUE's largest lead of the game was five points with just over two minutes to play in regulation though neither side would hold a larger than five-point lead in the contest. FDU was sitting comfortably for the majority of the contest, 50.5 percent to be exact, as the Knights held the advantage for just over 20 minutes of play.

The long ball was key for FDU to stay in the ballgame as FDU out-shot the Cougars from deep 8-2 with SIUE not banking a trey in five tries in the opening half.

Damarco Minor got hot at all the right times for the marked home team as he shot 55.6 percent from the field with a SIUE-leading 22 points. Jonathan Kurtas did the gritty work on the floor for the Cougars as he picked up six defensive boards and contributed 13 scores on five buckets plus three free throws. 
 

"I thought we really competed, especially down the stretch," said Anderson. "We did some good things and a lot we can build on. Looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow."
 

FDU has a quick turnaround with the Knights set to face Longwood, the host of the event, at 5 p.m. tomorrow, November 19 live on ESPN+.

The 2022-23 men's basketball season is presented by Bogota Savings Bank.