HACKENSACK, N.J. - FDU men's basketball climbed back to a .500 winning percentage Saturday as the Knights, now 8-8 (1-0 NEC) bested Centenary (N.J.) 99-50 at Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center.

FDU closes non-conference play 4-1 at home and 7-8 overall in 2022-23.

Early on the two New Jersey schools kept it close with FDU up five (11-6) at the first scheduled media timeout in the opening period. Following wholesale substitutions coming out of the break for both teams, a nearly three-minute scoreless stretch would ensue for both the Cyclones and Knights before FDU graduate student guard Demetre Roberts would sink two free throws to snap the drought.

The long ball was kind to the Knights inside the friendly confines of the Rothman with FDU 32.6 percent from behind the arc (14-for-43). Freshman Trevon Blassingame a career-high 14 points and connected for a team-leading four three-point field goals, including a beautiful pair off dishes thanks to fellow first-year Brayden Reynolds.

Sophomore forward Ansley Almonor continued his dominance as he finished atop the score sheet for the Knights in their second-straight home game with 19 points. Four would score in double figures for head coach Tobin Anderson's squad.

FDU rings in the New Year with the continuation of Northeast Conference play when the Knights visit St. Francis Brooklyn on Thursday, January 5 at 1 p.m. live on NEC Front Row.

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