MADISON, N.J. -- The FDU-Florham men's basketball team walked out in front of the home crowd in search of their first Freedom Conference victory this year and they got just that when they defeated the DeSales University Bulldogs 70-58 Saturday afternoon at the Ferguson Recreation Center.
The Devils (2-21, 1-11 Freedom) are a very young team, but they have found great leaders in freshman guard Steve Herdman (South Amboy, N.J.) and sophomore forward Donte Ali (Willingboro, N.J.).
Ali has asserted himself as a dominant player on both sides of the ball in the painted area. Blocking shots and scoring at the basket have become routine for the sophomore forward. However, against the Bulldogs (16-7, 8-4 Freedom) he showcased a new part of his game by stepping out from behind the arc and burying two 3-point shots. He finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three blocks.
It was a back and forth battle in the first half up until senior guard Tymiak Hawkins (Philadelphia, Pa.) knocked down two 3-pointers to help the Devils close out the half on a 13-0 run. Hawkins scored a career-high 15 points and brought down five rebounds in the game.
With all the momentum on the Devils side entering the second half, they expanded on their run and found themselves up 41-27 with still a lot of basketball left to be played. Herdman led the charge by putting together a 16 point second half. He finished the game with a career-high 21 points.
Being one of the top teams in the conference, the Bulldogs were not going to let the Devils walk away with this game. By using their leading scorer, Cody Deal, the Bulldogs worked the low post and went on an 18-4 run to climb right back into the game. Deal ended the game with a team-high 15 points.
It became familiar territory for a Devils team that has played in a lot tight games down the stretch this season. With just minutes remaining the Devils drew up the recipe for success and held off the Bulldogs for their first Freedom Conference victory and their first win since November 22.
FDU-Florham will head on the road for its next game to take on Wilkes University on Tuesday, February 17, at 8 p.m.
