DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (February 9, 2019) – Junior Andy Fleurantin poured in a career-high 28 points to lead the FDU-Florham men's basketball team past Delaware Valley 80-73 Saturday afternoon.

FDU moves to 6-17, 3-9 within the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom, while Delaware Valley falls to 12-11, 8-4 in the MAC Freedom.

Over the first eight minutes, neither side was able to take control of the game as the score was never more than a one or two-point lead. The Aggies were able to take a six lead thanks to a 7-0 run midway through the frame, but the Devils were able to counter right back. Within a 45 second span, the Devils erased the deficit with eight straight, including consecutive treys from Fleurantin.

The Devils added two additional points onto the run before Delaware Valley broke the drought with two points. FDU turned the 10-2 run into a 14-2 rally, taking a six-point lead with 6:34 remaining in the half. The Aggies converted a layup to get within a three at 27-24; however, the visiting Devils ended the half with 11 of the final 13 points to take a 12 point lead into halftime.

Fleurantin led all scorers with 12 points, as senior Anthony Mitchell chipped in 10. The Devils forced 11 Aggies turnovers over the first 20 minutes while committing just four of their own. The defense also held Delaware Valley to just 2-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Aggies chipped away at the lead, tallying the first six points of the second stanza and cutting the lead in half. Sophomore Oliver Ortman and Mitchell each scored to stop the opening run and brought the game score back to double figures. The two sides would trade baskets before FDU embarked on a 13-6 spurt, finished off with a jumper in the paint from sophomore Shawn Smith. The Smith jumper made the score 62-45 with just over 10 and a half minutes remaining in the period.

Junior Kenneth LaRocca hit from deep with 8:15 left, the Aggies whittled the lead back down to nine over the two minutes. The gap hovered around 10 for the next three minutes before Fleurantin notched five straight tallies, including a fast-break layup with a shade over two minutes left in the affair.

Despite allowing the Aggies to score nine of the final 11 points, the Devils were able to seal the victory. Fleurantin only grabbed one rebound in the entire game, but it was the most important. He grabbed the carom off of a three-point miss with two seconds remaining to prevent the Aggies from getting any closer.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Fleurantin shattered his previous career-best of 20 points which had been done on two occasions this year. The junior also handed a season-high six helpers and knocked down 10 shots from the field.
• Smith and Ortman led the team with seven rebounds each, with Ortman snaring three on the offensive glass.
• Senior Tyler Christie tallied four points and six rebounds off the bench while playing 16 minutes.
• The Devils have now scored 80 points in each of the past two Saturday games.
• Led by three each from Mitchell and Ortman, FDU recorded 13 steals in the game. 

UP NEXT
The Devils close out the road portion of their schedule Tuesday, heading to Purchase, N.Y. to take on Manhattanville College at 8 p.m.