LORETTO, Pa. –
Dylan Jones knocked down a triple that sent the game to overtime with three seconds on the clock, but the Knights could not complete the comeback in the extra period. Saint Francis U (12-17, 7-8) outlasted FDU (11-17, 7-7) in the 85-80 victory on their home floor.
Terrence Brown turned in his eighth 25-point game of the season, and his fifth in conference play. The guard totaled 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Eight of his points came via dunks.
The Red Flash started hot in front of a packed DeGol arena. They built a 22-7 lead eight minutes into the contest.
The rest of the first half was all Knights.
Chidube Ekwommadu sparked the Knights off the bench with five points. FDU outscored their opponent 29-12 in the final 12 minutes of the half and took a 36-34 lead going into the locker room.
Brayden Reynolds put the exclamation point on the run with a buzzer-beating three from the logo.
Neither team created much separation in the first portion of the second stanza. The breakout guard Brown then scored eight-straight FDU points. This put the Knights ahead 49-42 with 12:33 remaining.
The Red Flash flipped the script quickly, responding with 11-0 run to reclaim their advantage. They stayed in front of the Knights and led 65-59 with just under four minutes to play.
Needing a run, FDU got "stops-and-scores" on two-straight possessions. Trailing by two with 1:37 to play, they got one more stop, and Brown flew by the defense for a game-tying dunk.
Again, SFU responded with six unanswered.
Jo'el Emanuel converted a three-point play to get within three. The Knights got the ball back and off an inbound with 5.4 seconds on the clock, Jones hit a clutch triple to send the game to overtime.
Emanuel finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds for FDU.
In overtime, FDU erased a five-point deficit and tied the game in the final minute. After this, the Red Flash knocked down a clutch bucket, got two stops, and made three of four free throws to seal the victory. FDU was held to just 2-10 from the field in the final five minutes, while SFU went 4-5.
The Knights took good care of the ball and recorded 16 assists, but a rebounding advantage of +14 made all the difference for Saint Francis U. They posted 19 second-chance points.
The Red Flash were led by Riley Parker, who poured in 28 points on 15 shots.
WHAT'S NEXT
FDU returns home next Thursday, February 27, to take on Stonehill. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with coverage available on NEC Front Row.
Follow the Knights on Instagram, Bluesky and X @FDUKnightsMBB
Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2024-2025 FDU men's basketball season