HACKENSACK, N.J. - Inside a packed Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center, a record-setting crowd saw history as the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team (4-20, 5-12 NEC) knocked-off first-place Wagner in a nationally-televised matchup on CBS Sports Network that saw the sides deadlocked at the end of regulation. FDU came on top in overtime, 88-86, redeeming a 31-point loss to the Seahawks back on January 17 in Staten Island, N.Y.
How it Happened
- Senior Sal Xheraj earned his first career start as the Hasbrouck Heights native played in his final regular season home game in the Burgundy and Blue. Beginning his Knights career as Knightro, FDU's beloved mascot, in 2018-19, Xheraj became a manager in the 2019-20 season before walking-on to the team in time for the 2020-21 season. Click here for a feature on Xheraj, published by NJ.com.
- Junior Brandon Rush got FDU on the board to open the scoring affair for either side, the first of two triples hit by the Warrensville, Ohio native. Rush would finish with a career-best 36 points in 43 minutes on the floor. The guard would finish with 10 made free throws out of 10 attempts, the most free throws made and attempted by Rush in his career. He would add across the box score with two boards, two assists and two steals.
- Down nine at the half, FDU would regroup and emerge an entirely different squad coming out of the break scoring four points after beginning with the ball to begin the period.
- Moving to the overtime period, Wagner would score first before FDU would take control and hold Wagner scoreless for the final 1:51 of the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- The win was featured on News12 New Jersey and NBC4 New York Thursday evening.
- FDU shot 22 free throws in each of the two matchups against the Seahawks this season.
- Rush set new team season-highs in five categories.
Coach Herenda's Thoughts
"What can you say, that was an old school Senior Night and to have an awesome crowd and to win it on national television made it a very, very special night for our program and FDU. I am so happy that we sent
Sal Xheraj out on such a high note tonight. Sal has meant so much to this team and tonights win was truly fitting. How about
Brandon Rush? I told him on the way home from Bryant to just relax and play like it is the summer and he definitely took me literally. When he plays like that it makes everyone else better and he did just that tonight. I cannot say enough about the job
Ray Ford Jr., Anquan and
Ansley Almonor did tonight as well. Everyone stepped up tonight in order for us to beat a very good Wagner team tonight. Now we need to get some rest and get ready for another battle at 2 p.m. on Saturday."
What's Next
Rush and the Knights close-out regular season action on Saturday, February 26, when the team heads to Brooklyn to face LIU at 2 p.m. live on NEC Front Row.
The 2021-22 men's basketball season is presented by
Bogota Savings Bank.
