MADISON, N.J. (December 8, 2018) - Junior guard Andy Fleurantin knocked down four three-pointers in a two minute stretch late in the second half to lead the FDU-Florham men's basketball team past Misericordia 72-61 Saturday.

The Devils improve to 3-7 on the season while leveling their conference record at 1-1. Misericordia drops to 3-5, including an 0-2 mark in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom.

 Fleurantin hit a three to start to open the game, but Misericordia responded with a 5-0 run. After trading baskets, senior Anthony Mitchell's three gave the Devils the lead again at 10-9. After the Cougars reclaim the lead on the next possession, the Devils went on a 7-0 to push the score to 17-11. After five unanswered Cougar points, sophomore Oliver Ortman's and one made it a 20-16 game with 10:35 on the clock.

The Devils extended their lead to five when junior Kenneth LaRocca drilled a three from the top of the key to make it a 27-22 game with 4:48 remaining. The Cougars closed out the half on a 6-1 run to tie the score at 28. Mitchell led FDU with eight points at the break, while sophomore Shawn Smith had four points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Cougars started the second half on an 11-2 run to give them their largest lead of the day at 39-30. The run ended when Smith hit a three to spark a 9-2 Devil run to make it a 41-39 game with 11:24 left. The Cougars responded with two threes to make it an eight-point lead but a three by Mitchell ended the run. After a LaRocca jumper and two free throws by senior Tyler Christie made it a 48-46 game in favor of Misericordia with 8:20 remaining. The Devils reclaim the lead when Mitchell hit a corner three off the dish from Fleurantin.

The Cougars reclaimed the lead at 50-49 after a layup but four straight points by Christie gave the Devils a 53-50 lead with five minutes remaining. With the score 56-55 in favor of the Devils with three minutes left on the clock, Fleurantin took control of the game. Free throws down the stretch by Mitchell and Smith gave the Devils a double-digit lead against the defending conference champions.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Coach Jeff Slanovec earned his first conference win against his alma mater Misericordia
• Fleurantin hit five threes for the Devils, the most by a Devil this season. He also led all scorers with 17 points
• 50% (12-of-24) 3pt shooting today was the best performance by the Devils this year and the 12 threes ties their single game best from downtown.
• Seven assists by Smith ties the team's season high for assist in a game a mark he hit twice already.
• Christie chipped in eight points off the bench, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
• FDU held a 31-27 edge in rebounding, led by six from junior Rajaan Dixon and Smith.
• Smith filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, with the seven assists tying the season high for assists in a game

UP NEXT
The Devils next contest will be on December 30, in Hartford, Connecticut against Trinity College at 5 p.m. FDU is 2-0 all time against the Bantams, last picking up a win in 2013, 74-63 as part as the Union College Tournament.