MADISON, N.J. (November 13, 2018) - The FDU-Florham men's basketball team lost a close match-up against Drew University 76-70, Tuesday night at the Ferguson Recreation Center.

After an opening basket by junior Andy Fleurantin, the visiting Rangers went on a 11-2 run during the following four minutes to give them an early 11-4 lead. The Devils would cut the lead back down to four with 12:40 remaining in the half when senior Darren Davy drained a deep three to make it 15-11. The Devils fell behind by nine points twice in the half but was able to cut the lead down to six at 35-29, heading into half. Davy led the Devils with 11 points and three rebounds at the break, while the defense held the Rangers to 10% from deep in the half. 

The Rangers started the second half on a 10-5 run to push the score to 45-34. The Devils responded with a short 4-0 run of their own. Sophomore Shawn Smith started the Devils comeback with a three of his own to bring the score to 49-43 in favor of the Rangers, while layups by senior Derek Leohner and Davy made it a two-point game. After a big defensive stop, Mitchell pump faked a three and caught his defender in the air for an easy drive and lay-up to tie the game at 49, forcing Drew to call a full timeout.

The Rangers responded from the timeout with a 17-3 run giving them their largest lead of the night at 66-52. The Devils would get the lead under 10 once again, when Davy hit a 13-foot jump shot to make the score 68-59 with 4:58 remaining in the game. After a quick Ranger lay-up, back-to-back threes by junior Kenneth LaRocca and Smith got the Devils to within five at 70-65 with 3:35. However the Devils were unable to complete the comeback, coming within four points with seven seconds remaining when sophomore Oliver Ortman drill a three to make the score 74-70.

Davy finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, both were team highs. Smith finished with 11 points and a team high seven assists, while Fleurantin, Mithcell, and LaRocca all finished with eight points.

The Devils will travel to Stevenson University for the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic Friday and Saturday. FDU will take on the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Friday night at 6 p.m.