FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The FDU Knights (3-6, 0-0) saw an 11-point second half lead slip away in a 78-74 loss at Fairfield (4-4, 0-0) on Sunday afternoon. The result marks FDU's third-straight loss against Division I opponents.
Extra possessions made the difference in this one. The Stags grabbed 16 offensive rebounds for 13 second chance points and only turned it over seven times. They were able to force FDU into 15 turnovers and scored 20 points off FDU's miscues. The Knights were only able to score two points off Fairfield turnovers.
FDU slugged their way to a 32-30 lead at halftime. They knocked down six of their first 12 shots before going 5:23 of action without a field goal. This was snapped by a
Cameron Tweedy layup that brought FDU within two at 21-19. On their next possession,
Jo'el Emanuel connected on one of a season-high three triples to give FDU a 22-21 lead. Emanuel finished with a team-high 16 points.
The teams were a combined 24-52 from the field in the first period.
The Knights hit their first four shots of the second half and saw their lead climb to 45-34. However, Fairfield answered with a 21-10 run that tied the game at 55-55 with 8:19 to play. The teams traded small leads before Fairfield pull ahead 70-68 with 1:58 remaining in the game. FDU did not tie or take the lead again.
The Knights finished 48.1% from the floor. They held Fairfield to just three made threes, but the Stags made up for it with seven more free throw makes than FDU.
The Knights will try to bounce back in the Bronx against Fordham on Wednesday, December 4. This game tips at 7 p.m. on SNY/ESPN+.
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Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2024-2025 FDU men's basketball season.
