Hoboken, NJ (January 29, 2020)- FDU Men's Basketball fell to the Stevens Institute of Technology on Wednesday night, 80-69. After the loss, The Devils fall to 8-10 overall and 3-4 in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom. The Ducks improve to 14-4 overall and 5-2 in the MAC Conference.

FIRST HALF
After Stevens jumped out to an 8-3 lead early in the first half, FDU was able to tie the game on a three-pointer from senior Kenneth LaRocca. The Ducks continued to roll offensively, jumping out to another lead at 19-12. FDU answered tying the game, 19-19 with 7:39 remaining on a junior Oliver Ortman triple. FDU would cap their 10-0 run with a 22-19 lead after Ortman knocked down a bucket in the paint.. There were eight lead changes down the stretch, capped off with FDU leading 35-34 at halftime after LaRocca hit a basket in the final seconds.

Stevens opened the second half on an 8-0 run, taking an early 42-35 lead. The Devils anwsered with seven straight points, tying the game at 42. Stevens would again go on a run, this time with seven straight points of their own to take a 50-42 advantage. FDU responded, with an 8-0 run, tying the game at 50 apiece. Back and forth play would ensue, as Stevens built their lead to as much as eight with 7:54 remaining. The devils brought it to within two at the 4:26 mark on a Ortman bucket, before the Ducks pulled away. Stevens out scored FDU 14-5 the remainder of the game to secure the victory.

LEAD DEVIL
Ortman led the way for FDU scoring 20 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field.

ON FIRE
Teammate Kenny LaRocca continued his fantastic January, shooting 70% from the field, 75% from three and finishing the day with 19 points. This month, LaRocca is shooting 49% from the field, 44% from three and is averaging 16.9 ppg.

FILL THE SHEET
Freshman Andrew Schulz filled the stats sheet finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. This is the second time this season Schulz has scored 11 or more points. 

COACHES THOUGHTS
"Lot of credit to Stevens for capitalizing on just about every mistake that we made and hat tip to Cook, who I thought we actually did a decent job on much of the night. We've put ourselves in a position to compete for a playoff spot at the midway point of the season. Excited to get ready for a big game Saturday to kick off a two game homestand." – Head Coach Jeff Slanovec

UP NEXT
The Devils host Misericordia University at the Ferguson Recreation Center on Saturday, February 1, with tip-off set for 3 p.m.