A big showing from sophomore Donte Ali (Willingboro, N.J.) was not enough to lift the FDU-Florham men's basketball team to their first Freedom Conference victory as they were defeated by the Manhattanville College Valiants 83-64 Thursday night in Purchase, N.Y.

For the second consecutive game, it was Ali who led the Devils (1-17, 0-7 Freedom) with 17 points and nine rebounds.

It was all Manhattanville (6-12, 2-5 Freedom) from the start of the game. The Valiants attacked the basket early and scored 10 points in the point during their 16-1 run. The run was ended after Steve Herdman (South Amboy, N.J.) stole the ball and swiftly ran down the floor to lay it in for the Devils first basket from the field in eight minutes.

The shooting woes continued for the Devils, who shot a dismal 17 percent from the field in the first half, making only six baskets. With five minutes left to play in the first half, the Devils found themselves down by 18 as they struggled to contain an efficient shooting half from the Valiants.

At the half, the Valiants held a commanding 40-23 lead over the Devils after shooting 54 percent from the field.

The second half was highlighted by Juan Camacho's 14 points. He finished with a game-high 18 points for the Valiants in the contest. Charles Nardone added 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.

The Devils cut the deficit to nine after two layups from Ali and a basket by senior Kevin Furlong (Hazlet, N.J.). However, that was the closest the Devils would get to the Valiants.

In the final nine minutes of the game, the Valiants embarked on a 13-2 run to seal the victory.

The Devils will return home to square off against the Misericordia Cougars on Saturday, January, 31 at 3 p.m.