MADISON N.J. – Junior forward Donte Ali double-doubled for the second-straight outing, but the FDU-Florham men's basketball suffered a 75-63 defeat to Baruch College at the Ferguson Recreation Center on Sunday evening.

The Devils (1-4) were unable to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit as the Bearcats (3-3) used a hot-shooting first half to facilitate the win.

Ali led the Devils with 15 points, 11 rebounds and tied an FDU-Florham single-game high with six steals on the night.

Five Bearcats scored in double figures led by Raymond De La Cruz's 15 tallies.

The Bearcats knocked down 58 percent of their shots in the first stanza (17-of-29) and limited the Devils to just a 28 percent clip (10-for-36), which resulted in a 41-26 lead at the break. Sophomore forward Chimaechi Ekekeugbor served as the catalyst for the Bearcats with eight points, four rebounds and four assists during the first stanza. Ekekeugbor finished with a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points and six helpers in the win.

After struggling to find the mark in the first half, the Devils were able to chip away at the Bearcats' lead in the second.

Trailing 59-47, Veon Lassiter brought the Devils within 10 by draining a 3-pointer from the top of the key. After the two teams traded baskets, Ali registered the highlight of the night with an emphatic two-hand slam, which made it a seven-point contest, 61-54. Freshman guard Jayson Hughes set up the jam with a crafty baseline drive and a nifty pass to Ali.

The Bearcats responded and pushed their lead back to 13 points with 3:06 to play but again the Devils fought back.  An 8-2 spurt by the Devils, capped by a 3-pointer from Hughes brought the home team within six at 69-63 with 1:31 to go, however, they were unable to get any closer despite several Baruch miscues.

Hughes finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, while fellow first-year guard Derek Leohner chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.

The Devils kickoff MAC Freedom action in their next contest, when they host Misericordia University this Wednesday, December 2 at 8 p.m.