Box Score Madison, NJ (January 15, 2020)- Men's Basketball fell in overtime to Eastern University on Wednesday evening, 77-73. With the loss, FDU falls to 6-8 overall and 1-2 in the MAC Freedom while the Eagles improve to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in MAC Freedom play.

FIRST HALF
The Devils started the scoring off with a three-point basket 1-minute into the contest from Freshman Andrew Schulz. 2-minutes later, senior Kenneth LaRocca knocked down a triple of his own to give the Devils an early 6-2 advantage. Consistent play from both sides would define the next seven minutes, as both teams found their way to 15 points, bringing the score to 21-17 with 9:49 remaining in the half. At the 8:16 mark, senior Andy Fleurantin drilled a three-point basket to give FDU their largest lead of the half, 24-19.

Eastern would continue to fight back, going on an 14-4 run over the games next six minutes to regain the lead at 34-28 with 2:53 remaining in the half. Another three from LaRocca would bring the Devils within three-points under two minutes remaining. The Eagles Draig Ruff knocked down a layup with :50 seconds before the end of the half, giving Eastern a 36-31 lead at the break.

SECOND HALF
FDU would start off the scoring in the second half thanks to two three-point baskets from Fleurantin and LaRocca to bring the Eastern lead to one, 38-37. After four quick points from the Eagles, it was LaRocca again from downtown knocking down a big bucket for the Devils, bringing them within two, 42-40. Each team traded baskets, first a layup from Easterns Michael Bowlers and then a response from Junior Oliver Ortman, who knocked down a jumper on an assist from LaRocca. The Eagles William Blet knocked down a layup and foul shot at the 7:35 mark to give Eastern their largest lead of the half, 56-46.

The Devils had the response. Ortman hit two straight three's, both off of assists from Fleurantin to cut the lead to four, 56-52 with 5:09 remaining. Two minutes later and only down by two, LaRocca would get a pass from freshman Derrick Whitaker and knock down a three to give FDU their first lead since the first half, 61-60. Eastern had the immediate response hitting two free-throws and regaining the lead. It was back and forth down the stretch as both teams knocked down buckets with under two-minutes remaining. With FDU down 65-63, Fleurantin hit a jumper with :20 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

OVERTIME
Eastern jumped out early, scoring the first six points of the extra time period to regain a 71-65 advantage. However, the Devils did not go down easy. After Bowlers hit a bucket for Eastern, Fleurantin knocked down another from beyond the arc. The Eagles responded quickly, scoring four straight points before LaRocca connected again from deep to keep the lead at four, 75-71 with :16 seconds left. Eastern would hit some free-throws down the stretch and the Devils ran out of time, dropping their MAC Freedom home opener 77-73.

LEAD DEVIL
LaRocca led all scorers finishing with 26 points on 9-of-18 (50%) from the field and tied the single game record for three-pointers made in a game, going 8-for-15 (53%) from beyond the arc.

FROM DOWNTOWN
The Devils hit 17 total three-pointers on the day which is the second most threes hit in a single game in program history.
 
SPREADING THE ROCK
Fleurantin finished the game with a season high 9 assists, which also ties his career high in a Devils uniform.

COACHES THOUGHTS
"Disappointed with our energy level for most of the game. The details that are essential to us winning games aren't consistently important to us, and until they are, we're going to be inconsistent. "- Head Coach Jeff Slanovec

NEXT UP
FDU hosts King's College at the Ferguson Recreation Center on Saturday, January 18 with tip-off set for 3 p.m.