FARMVILLE, Va. - FDU's Grant Singleton shined in the final 20 minutes with the fifth-year logging 20 of his 24 points in nearly 18 minutes of work to close-out the middle contest of three games in the JK54 Classic. Despite the Sumter, S.C. native's efforts, the Burgundy and Blue (2-3, 0-0 NEC) fell to Longwood 99-83, in the first game this season FDU did not hold a lead in.

Defense was a problem for both sides early on and continued throughout the over two-hour bout at Willett Hall. FDU allowed Longwood to shoot 69.8 percent from the field while the Lancers kept the Knights to 30 made field goals on 61 attempts (49.2 percent). In addition to Singleton's heroics, sophomore forward Ansley Almonor continued his clutch streak of performances, dazzling with 20 points and playing the minutes of the second half with four fouls after exiting last night's game against SIUE with five personal fouls with approximately 90 seconds to play.

Almonor and Singleton posted identical 8-for-14 marks while at times it seemed the Spring Valley, N.Y. product Almonor couldn't miss from behind the arch as the six-foot-six forward went 4-for-7 but started out 3-for-3 from distance while graduate student transfer Demetre Roberts finished with his first FDU double-double, putting together 12 points and 11 assists though his night would end early with five fouls.

Points in the paint were key for both sides though the 16-point swing would be reflected in the final score as the Lancers held the edge 46-30 underneath.

The back-to-back defeats suffered by the Knights to begin the JK54 Classic marks the first time since the close of last season that FDU lost two consecutive contests. 99 points is also the most FDU has allowed to an opponent since falling to then-Northeast Conference foe Bryant on February 19, 2022, 103-93.

Tobin Anderson's club returns to the hardwood in Farmville tomorrow, November 20 at 3:30 p.m. for the final game of the JK54 Classic when FDU faces assistant coach Jack Castleberry's alma mater VMI live on ESPN+ before heading to Pittsburgh for Tuesday's (Nov. 22) tilt with the Pitt Panthers on ACC Network.

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