DALLAS, Pa. (January 26, 2019) - Despite four players scoring in double-figures, the FDU-Florham men's basketball team was edged by Misericordia 82-74 Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom play.

The Devils fall to 4-14, 1-7 in the MAC Freedom, while Misericordia improves to 11-7, 4-3 in the conference.

FDU rolled off seven of the first 10 points of the contest, spanning the opening 2:17. Junior Andy Fleurantin along with seniors Tyler Christie and Darren Davy all hit baskets during the opening spurt. Back-to-back triples from sophomore Oliver Ortman and Fleurantin polished off an 8-0 run, giving the Devils a nine-point advantage at 21-12 midway through the period.

The Cougars cut the deficit down to a single possession game off a three with 5:21 left in the first half before Ortman countered from behind the arc to extend the lead back to five with 4:01 left. That was the last points FDU scored in the period, as Misericordia scored the final six points of the stanza. Both sides were held off of the scoreboard for the final 2:12, and the Cougars entered halftime with a one point lead.

Fleurantin led the Devils with nine first-half points, while sophomore Shawn Smith and Davy each pulled down five defensive rebounds. The Devils forced 10 turnovers while committing only three.

The Cougars tallied the first four points of the second half before a fast-break layup from senior Anthony Mitchell put the Devils on the board. With 17:02 remaining in regulation, Fleurantin canned a triple to level the score at 35. Misericordia pulled back in front by six on a layup by Tony Harding with 11:20 left, and the lead swelled to double-digits during the half. 

The hosts took their biggest lead with 2:53 remaining, leading 72-54 after a pair of free throws. The Devils didn't back down and outscored Misericordia 20-10 over the final 2:53. FDU got as close as six after junior Kenneth LaRocca knocked down three's on consecutive possessions. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mitchell led the way with 16, and has totaled 11 or more points in five of his last six contests.
• Smith scored 11 points for the second straight game, and filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals. His seven assists matched a season-high set three times prior. The sophomore also had seven helpers the last time the teams played on December 8.
• The nine team turnovers were one off of the season-low, set on November 17 against Stevenson.
• Behind three each from LaRocca, Fleurantin and Ortman, the Devils connected a season-high 13 three-pointers.

UP NEXT
The Devils will take on DeSales Wednesday evening, heading to Center Valley, Pa. for an 8 p.m. tip against the Bulldogs. In the previous meeting this season, DeSales notched an 80-64 triumph.