HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU men's basketball (9-13, 5-2) took down Le Moyne (7-15, 2-5) by a score of 78-74 at home on Thursday. The Knights' victory was engineered by a career-high 20 points out of Jameel Morris, who had six steals to boot. 

The win moves FDU to 5-2 in conference play, good for second place in the Northeast Conference. The Knights are also now on a three-game win streak. 

FDU and Le Moyne followed up their 2OT thriller from earlier in the season with another instant classic, this time in Hackensack. The game came in front of a big crowd in Hackensack. FDU celebrated Salif Mane night during the win, unveiling two banners for the FDU alum and Olympian during halftime.

The Knights began the game with an early lead, taking a 40-34 advantage into the halftime break. It was an efficient start for the Knights across the first twenty, as they shot 50% from the field. FDU also got a balanced scoring effort from their roster to start, as Morris, Terrence Brown, and Dylan Jones each scored eight points in the first half.

The Knights would proceed to hold their lead throughout the entirety of the second half; although it did not come easy.

Le Moyne battled throughout the final twenty minutes, and cut things to just a one-possession game with two minutes to go. 

The Knights held a 71-68 lead during that final stretch, and for a moment, seemingly put the game away. Terrence Brown knocked down a free throw, and then Jameel Morris had a remarkable steal and score to put FDU up by six.

Le Moyne proceeded to punch back. The Dolphins scored four quick points, and made things just a two-point game with under a minute to go. 

Then, with just 27 seconds on the game clock, Terrence Brown knocked down a clutch jumper, sealing the win away for FDU.
 

THE STATS

• Jameel Morris dropped a career-high 20 points, all off of the bench.
  • Morris also collected a remarkable six steals, tied for the most by any NEC player this season.
• Terrence Brown put up 16 points and 8 rebounds in the victory.
  • Brown is now averaging 20.5 PPG during NEC play, the most by any player in the conference.
• FDU shot an efficient 50.9% from the field, including an impressive 52% from the field during the final twenty minutes.
• FDU picked up their first home victory of NEC play. Their four other wins have all come on the road.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights will have a quick turnaround, and host Mercyhurst at home on Saturday, February 1. It will be the first meeting in program history against Mercyhurst, the newest team to Division I and the Northeast Conference. It will be Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Bogota Savings Bank Center. Tip-off will be at 3:30 p.m, with coverage on NEC Front Row.
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