Reading, PA (December 30, 2019)- 

Following last night's victory over Albright College, The FDU Men's Basketball team earned a spot in the 2019 Crowne Plaza Holiday Tournament finals on Monday evening. The Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan University bested the Devils by a score of 88-60. The Devils now fall to 5-6 on the season, as the Marlins improve to 10-1.

The Devils were off to a hot start offensively, thanks to three-pointers by seniors  Andy Fleurantin, and  Kenneth LaRocca, and the freshman duo of Joseph Nigro, and Andrew Schulz. At the 15:26 mark in the first half, FDU led the Marlins, 14-12. Now trailing, Fluertantin drove to the basket for back-to-back layups to cut the VWU lead to two. With under a minute remaining in the first frame, Schulz was victorious once again from behind the three-point line, reducing the Marlins lead. Less than 40 seconds later, it was Schulz once again, this time hitting two free throws, to end the first half.

In the second half, FDU outscored their scoring efforts in the first half by six points. Junior Oliver Ortman kicked things off in the half, with a made jumper in FDU's first possession. The Freshman connection of Nigro and Schulz served dividends, as Schulz found Nigro for the layup, at the 18:40 mark. With 17:30 in the game, Schulz knocked down his third three-pointer of the game, this time off of the pass from LaRocca. Junior Cameron Saintil got in on the action, as he hit a jumper off the pass from LaRocca, at the 5:53 mark. Saintil did not wait long to add more points to his total, as he made good of the pass from Schulz for the three-point field goal. With time ticking down, Derrick Whitaker hit a free throw attempt, making the score 88-60.

LEAD DEVILS
The three three-pointers by Schulz is his new collegiate single-game high. Ortman led all Devils in scoring, with 14 points, as Schulz followed with 13 points. Fleurantin rounded out the Devils double-digit scorers, as he added 11 points. LaRocca totaled six assists in the contest. The six assists is LaRoccas new single-game high at FDU.

DEVILS HONOREES
With their performances over the past two days, Fleurantin and Ortman were elected to the All-Tournament Team.

FROM COACH
"Tough loss against a terrific opponent this afternoon. We started both halves off very well and did lots of good stuff for stretches but credit to Virginia Wesleyan. They don't have many weaknesses and you need to be sharp every possession on both ends or they'll make you pay. Eyes forward to DeSales and conference play after a very solid end to our non conference slate." - Head Coach Jeff Slanovec 

NEXT UP
The Devils return to the court on Wednesday, January 8, as they begin the MAC Freedom slate, with a visit to DeSales University. The game is scheduled to tip at 6:00 p.m.