HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU completed a 2-0 week with a thrilling 55-52 win over Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon. The victory brings the Knights' record to 4-2 at home in NEC play.
- Taeshaud Jackson produced his second-straight double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds
- Jackson went 6-7 from the floor and 4-4 from the free throw line
- The forward recorded 12 of his points in the second half
- Jackson scored four-straight points in the final minutes to give FDU a 53-52 lead that they did not relinquish
- Jackson has 11 games this season with ten or more rebounds
- He is now averaging 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game
The first half featured constant back‑and‑forth play with 11 lead changes, but the Lakers used a late push to go up 30–24 in the final minute. FDU steadied itself, however, and trimmed the deficit with a pair of
Joey Niesman free‑throw trips, closing the half on a 4–1 run to pull within 30–28 at the break.
Coming out of halftime, the Knights delivered their strongest stretch of the afternoon. A decisive 15–4 run—powered by finishes inside from Jackson and
Cyril Martynov—turned a two‑point deficit into a 43–34 FDU lead with 13:19 remaining, marking the Knights' largest advantage of the game. FDU dominated the paint during this span and forced repeated empty Mercyhurst possessions, briefly taking full control.
Mercyhurst used an 8–0 burst to erase the deficit and eventually reclaim a 52–49 lead entering the final three minutes. From there, FDU made the decisive plays. Jackson knifed to the rim for a go‑ahead layup that put the Knights ahead 53–52, and after a defensive stand,
David Jevtic calmly knocked down two free throws with 14 seconds left to stretch the margin to three. Mercyhurst's last-second three‑point attempt missed, and Martynov secured the rebound to seal the win
- Cyril Martynov recorded an 11-point 10-rebound double-double on 5-6 shooting
- Joey Niesman finished with eight points and five assists
- The Knights outscored Mercyhurst 32-18 in the paint
- FDU won the rebounding battle 35-23
- 11 of these rebounds came on the offensive end
- FDU missed just two free throws, going 11-13 from the line
- There were 11 lead changes and 10 ties in the contest
FDU continues its four-game homestand next Thursday, February 12, as they take on Saint Francis. Fans can watch the game on YES and NEC Front Row.
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Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor of FDU Men's Basketball
