MADISON, N.J. (February 6, 2019) - The FDU-Florham men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking conference matchup against Eastern University 61-60, Wednesday night at the Ferguson Recreation Center.

The Devils drop to 5-17, 2-9 within the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom, while Eastern bumps its record to 14-8, 8-3 within the conference.

After a quick layup for the Eagles, the Devils would go on a 10-0 run over the next five minutes to give them a 10-2 lead with 14:39 left in the first half. Sophomore Shawn Smith led the way with six points on two threes during the run.

The Eagles responded with a 9-2 run to make it 12-11 before senior Darren Davy made a three to spark an 8-0 rally from the Devils to make it 20-12 with 9:25 left in the half. The Devils would get their first double-digit lead at 23-13 after a corner three by junior Andy Fleurantin. An 8-2 run by the Eagles brought the game to 25-21 with five minutes left in the half. 

The guests got within three in the first half, but a deep three by sophomore Oliver Ortman gave the Devils some breathing room in the first half. Ortman would hit two more threes before half including a buzzer beater to give the Devils a 38-31 halftime lead. 

After an Eastern layup to start the second half, the Devils rattled off five straight points starting with a Fleurantin trey and a layup by senior Anthony Mitchell to extend their lead to 43-33. The Eagles would respond with an 8-2 run to make it 45-41 with 16:17 left in the second half. Davy put a stop to the Eastern run with a tough and-1 to make it 48-41 with 15 minutes remaining. 

The Devils lead was cut to four with 9:41 on the clock but a free throw jumper by Davy gave the Devils a 55-49 lead. Eastern would score four unanswered to come within two, but a corner three by Ortman pushed the score to 58-53 with six minutes left.

After a three by Eastern, the Devils led 60-58 with 3:19 remaining in regulation. After an empty possession on both ends FDU called a full timeout with 2:11 left. Following the timeout, Eastern made two free throws to tie the game at 60.

 A made free throw by the Eagles with 1:24 on the clock gave them their first lead since the opening basket of the game. After a blocked FDU shot, the defense for the Devils forced a turnover with 30 seconds remaining giving the Devils a chance to reclaim the lead but the last second shot went long. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Davy's 24 points was one shy of tying his season high set back on 11/13/18 against Drew.
• Junior Kenneth LaRocca set a new career high with four assists.
• 19 team Assists ties the season best by the Devils

 UP NEXT
The Devils will continue MAC Freedom play on Saturday February 9, at 3:00 p.m. against Delaware Valley University.