Madison, NJ (November 12, 2019)- The FDU Basketball team dropped their season opening contest to the College of Saint Elizabeth by the score of 75-73.  The Devils drop to 0-1 on the young season while CSE improves to 2-0.
 
The game was back and forth early with each team trading baskets and FDU taking a 5-3 lead thanks to a layup from Senior Kenneth LaRocca and a three pointer from Junior Oliver Ortman. After the Eagles Roland Romano hit a lay-up to make the game 9-7, the Devils would go on to score six of the games next seven points to extend the lead to 15-10.
 
After trading baskets and bringing the score to 18-14 with 11:30 remaining in the first half, FDU would go on a 12-0 run to take a 30-14 lead. From that moment on the Devils would control the first half extending their lead to as much as 16, before going into the locker room with a 45-34 lead.   
 
The second half of play saw the Devils come out hot, once again extending their lead to 16, thanks to buckets by Ortman, LaRocca, fellow Senior Andy Fleurantin and Freshman Joseph Nigro.
 
CSE had the answer, scoring the next 14 points to bring the game within two at 56-54. FDU would weather the storm and get the lead back to seven points at 66-59 before the Eagles grabbed the momentum.
 
Saint Elizabeth outscored FDU 16-7 down the stretch, including a game clinching bucket with :02 seconds remaining to secure the road victory.
 
LEADING THE WAY
Ortman lead FDU going 7-11 from the field, 4-7 from three and finished the game with 21 points. LaRocca chipped in 15 points on 6-13 from the field.
 
TURNING IT OVER
The Devils defense recorded 6 steals on the day and forced the Eagles to turn the ball over 15 times.
 
DISHING IT OUT
Junior Shawn Smith led all Devils and finished the game with five assists.
 
NEXT UP
FDU returns to action this Friday November 15, when they travel to Lebanon Valley College for the Rinso Marquette Basketball tournament, where they face off against Mount Aloysius College.  That starts a seven-game stretch away from home for the Devils.
 
RETURN HOME
The Devils don't return to the Ferguson Recreation Center until December 9 when they take on Hunter College.