MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - FDU led 21-20 at halftime, but could not hang on in a 74-60 loss at Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops FDU to 4-10, while the Golden Gophers improve to 7-5 overall.
Despite battling against a very physical and defensive-minded Minnesota team, two Knights found ways to have their best performance of the season. Tyree Barba-Bey knocked down three triples en route to a season-high 15 points. He did this on an efficient 5-9 from the field and scored ten of his points in the second half. Forward Jo'el Emanuel recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He also connected on three triples.
A certified rock fight broke out in "The Barn" in the first half of this one. FDU and Minnesota were a combined 19-64 in the first 20 minutes. However, the Knights gained an advantage by forcing turnovers, battling on the glass, and defending without fouling. The Knights forced Minnesota into eight turnovers and were credited with five steals. On top of this, they held Minnesota to just one free throw attempt in the first period.
The difference in the game came in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Golden Gophers made their first eight attempts from the field and did not record a miss until there were just over 12 minutes remaining. This stretch built them a 40-30 lead.
The Minnesota lead grew to as many as 14 but FDU did not go away. They cut double-digit deficits down to single digits three times in the rest of the game, before falling by 14 points.
Jameel Morris provided another bright spot for the Knights. He built off his previous game in which he matched a career-high in points with another strong performance today. In 19 minutes off the bench, the sophomore shot 3-5 from the field, scored seven points and secured two rebounds.
As a team, FDU continues to share the ball well. Last time out against La Salle they created their most assists against a Division I opponent this year with 18. They nearly matched that today, totaling 16 assists on 23 made field goals. In what was a good display of poise, they turned it over only eight times against a team that forces opponents into more than 11 turnovers on average.
WHAT'S NEXT
FDU finishes their nonconference slate next Saturday, December 28 at Boston College. It marks the final of six games against power five opponents this season for the Knights. The action begins at 4 p.m. on the ACC Network.
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Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2024-2025 FDU men's basketball season
