MADISON, N.J. (February 3, 2018) - The FDU men's basketball team was clipped by DeSales 82-80 in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom action Saturday.

The freshman trio of Ahmad St. Fleur, Jimmy Olaniyi and Shawn Smith helped the Devils open the game with 10 of the first 14 points, while the Devils held the lead for a bulk of the opening half. Smith tallied four straight points to put the hosts up 22-17 with 8:25 left in the opening stanza, before the visitors used an 8-2 spurt to jump ahead by a point.

The Devils bridged the two halves with a 22-8 run, grabbing their biggest lead of the afternoon at 12 points. Highlight of rally included the rookie Smith scoring 10 points, while senior Ryan Rigby knocked down a long-range trey with time winding down in the first half.

It was the Bulldogs turn to rally, scoring 14 of 20 points over 5:42 midway through the second half to cut the deficit down to a four point edge. The visitors hung around, and took advantage of a 10-2 spurt to take their first lead of the second half.

The teams traded free throws down the stretch, as Smith knocked down a pair to make it a one-point affair. After DeSales hit one, FDU had one final chance to win or tie, but the Bulldogs forced a turnover to seal the win.

Smith filled the stat-sheet with 23 points, six steals, five rebounds and a pair of assists, as St. Fleur and Olaniyi combined for 21 points. St. Fleur was active as well, notching eight boards, six assists and four steals. Junior Darren Davy notched 16 points, as front-court mate Veon Lassiter had four points and four boards.

FDU is back on the road Wednesday, heading to St. David's, Pa to take on Eastern at 8 p.m.