MADISON, N.J. (January 3, 2018) - Freshman Shawn Smith scored 13 points but the FDU men's basketball team fell 75-52 to Wilkes in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom opener Wednesday.

The Devils opened the game with 10 of the first 12 points, with freshman Oliver Ortman and sophomore Rajaan Dixon connecting from behind the arc. FDU clung onto the lead for a majority of the first half before a back-breaking 17-4 run by the visitors spanned nearly seven minutes.

FDU closed to within six thanks to a Dixon jumper at the buzzer, before junior Anthony Mitchell opened the second half with a jumper. That jumper trimmed the lead to four, but FDU could not get any closer. A 13-2 Colonel spurt pushed the lead into double-digits, as the guests limited FDU to just nine field goals over the final 20 minutes of play.

In addition to his 13 points, Smith had five rebounds and three steals, as Dixon added 11 points and eight rebounds. Mitchell notched eight points, while freshman Ahmad St. Fleur chipped in seven points and three takeaways.

FDU will hit the road Saturday, traveling to Dallas, Pa. for a 3 p.m. showdown against Misericordia.