NORTH EASTON, Mass. - Taking part in a standalone game on national television, FDU men's basketball shined in the spotlight as the Knights (9-11, 3-2 NEC) bested Stonehill (2-18, 0-5 NEC) 76-69 at Merkert Gymnasium live on CBS Sports Network. The win is FDU's second all-time on the Skyhawks' home hardwood and the third in a row (all three in league play).
FDU moves to 2-1 away from home in NEC action behind a
The Burgundy and Blue started off hot, beginning the bout up 5-0 before junior forward
Ansley Almonor got into the mix of FDU's balanced scoring as the Spring Valley, N.Y. native got fouled on a three-point try and converted all three to give FDU an 8-6 advantage early.
Stonehill's Jackson Benigni tied with game with 14 minutes to go in the first and his team backed him up as the Skyhawks hit three triples to go into the under-12 electronic-media timeout making four of their previous five field goal attempts. Almonor and the Skyhawks would trade buckets out of the break.
Both teams had their fair share of scoreless runs with Stonehill going more than two-and-a-half minutes without a point nearing the first half's eight-minute mark. They would snap the deficit to go up 19-18.
FDU freshman Jacob Warren got a bucket to tie up the game at 22 with a pair of FDU's seven second-chance points in the opening period.
Newcomer Terrence Brown continued to dominant in conference play as the rookie from Minneapolis, Minn. has come into his own with a pair of dunks. 'TB' is averaging 15.7 p.p.g. on 52.7 percent shooting in his last three outings.
Max Zigaraowsi cut FDU's lead to three heading into the break followed by a Tony Felder three to give the Skyhawks the lead to force an FDU timeout with 1:44 to play.
Almonor made a pair of free throws to give FDU a one-point lead at the half. He went 5-for-5 from the foul line in the first half and finished the night with nine makes in nine tries.
The Knights saw balanced scoring throughout the game put closed-out the first 20 minutes with 13 field goal makes (41.9 percent), though FDU missed 11 threes in the opening period.
FDU had six first half scorers.
Into the second half FDU would open up a game-high 13-point lead while Stonehill couldn't edge the Knights in the second half. Credit head coach Jack Castleberry's brilliant zone adjustment screening the middle defender keeping the Skyhawks at bay.
Brayden Reynolds, the sophomore guard from Pittsburgh, Pa., would start a hockey assist bucket as he'd dish out to Joe Munden Jr. for the dime to Sean Moore and put FDU up 10. Almonor hit a three of his own, the third of the game, and all-but seal victory for the road Knights as just under six minutes remained.
FDU couldn't find a bucket in the final two minutes as Stonehill would cut-in within four. The Knights made three free throws in the final 30 seconds lock in the win.
Ansley Almonor would finish with 24 points on 6-12 shooting with a trio of threes and nine made free throws. The St. Joseph Regional [Mont.] grad added seven rebounds in the effort. Brown finished the start with 15 points and seven boards.
Munden Jr. had a game high five assists.
FDU men's basketball had a long layoff before hosting NEC leaders Central Connecticut inside the newly renamed Bogota Savings Bank Center on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPNU. Tickets are on-sale now at FDUKnights.com/Tickets.
Connect with FDU men's basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMBB.
Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the 2023-24 FDU men's basketball season.
