WILKES-BARRE, PA. (February 22, 2020) - The Devils' men's basketball team is headed to it's first Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Tournament since the 2013-2014 season, following a 94-78 victory over Wilkes on Saturday afternoon. With a 12-13 overall record and a 7-7 record in MAC Freedom play, the Devils will compete for the MAC Freedom crown. On a historic evening, the Devils totaled 22 three-point field goals, which set a new program record.

 STARTING THINGS OFF

 From the get-go, the Devils established its home from beyond-the-arc. FDU kick-started things at 18:49 when Andrew Schulz knocked down the Devils first three-pointer of the contest. The Devils continued the theme of success from deep, as senior Kenneth LaRocca made good of an unassisted three-pointer. One minute later, junior Oliver Ortman added to the Devils early lead, as he made a three-pointer. On the ensuing possession, Ortman took advantage of a Wilkes turnover, as he scored on a fast-break layup following a steal. Down 11-10, the Devils turned to senior Andy Fleurantin, who connected of a pass from LaRocca for his first three-pointer of the contest. With the game even at 16 apiece, LaRocca put the control back in the hands of the Devils, as he knocked down another three-point attempt, this time off an assist by Fleurantin. Trailing 22-19, Fleurantin responded to the Wilkes run with another three-pointer, to tie the game at 22-22. Following a Wilkes three-pointer, the Devils responded yet again, as this time Ortman connected from long range off of an assist by Schulz. With the Colonels back in front, freshman Derrick Whitaker joined in on the action, as he added a three-pointer, off of an assist by LaRocca. The Devils continued to score nine unanswered points to take a 39-30 lead. The run was highlighted by a steal and fast-break layup by LaRocca, and a three-pointer by Ortman. Both teams continued to trade baskets as the Devils found themselves ahead of Wilkes by a score of 44-40, leading into the halftime break.

 RIGHT WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

 In the first half, the Devils team totaled a stellar ten three-pointers. In the second half, that mark would be topped, as the Devils added 12 baskets from deep. Just 40 seconds into the half, LaRocca continued his red-hot shooting, when he executed off of an assist by Fleurantin, for another Devils three-pointer. Following a basket from Fleurantin, the Devils' next three points came from LaRocca once more, as the senior knocked down an attempt off a pass from Ortman. At the 15:22 marker, Schulz joined back in on the action, when he scored the three-point field goal off an assist by freshman Joseph Nigro. On his second of back-to-back baskets, Schulz delivered once more from downtown, as this time he connected off a pass from LaRocca. Nigro added to the Devils lead on the following possession at 13:30, as he knocked down a triple to put the Devils up 61-54. Following a defensive rebound from Schulz, the freshman dished the ball out to Fleurantin, who then found LaRocca for another three-pointer by the senior guard. With Wilkes back within ten points, LaRocca put the Devils up 67-57, following another made three-pointer. On the next play, Fleurantin stole the ball from the Wilkes offense and then made a trip to the free-throw line, where he knocked down an attempt. Up 77-70, the Devils would start a streak, which would be too much for Wilkes to handle. Fleurantin started off the run for FDU with a three-pointer off an assist by Schulz. The senior Fleurantin would then contribute for six consecutive points by the visiting Devils. With 3:37 left, LaRocca and Schulz connected on back-to-back three-pointers to help the Devils surpass the 90-point plateau for the second time this season. The final horn sounded, and the Devils held on for a 94-78 win. 

THREE-POINT PARTY

 The Devils used an all-around team effort to surpass the previous single-game program record of 20 three-pointers in a game, which the Devils set against Hunter this season. LaRocca led the record-setting performance, with seven three-pointers. Trailing him was Ortman, who added five. Behind Ortman, Fleurantin and Schulz added four apiece. The 94 points totaled by the Devils bests its previous season-high of 92 points, which was reached against King's College.

CAREER NIGHT 

To help put his team in line for a trip to the postseason, LaRocca eclipsed the 30-point marker for the first time in his career. The 31 points by the senior came on an 11-for-19 shooting effort and a 7-for-13 effort from three-point territory. 

ALL HANDS ON DECK

In the game that put the Devils into the MAC Freedom Tournament for the first time since 2014, the Devils had three players with at least 20 points. Behind LaRocca's 31 points, Fleurantin and Ortman both added 21 points. Schulz also set a career-high in points with 15. The Devils also combined for 12 steals. The Trio of Fleurantin, LaRocca, and Ortman all added three steals apiece. LaRocca also led the Devils in rebounds with six. Following him was Ortman, who added five. The Devils held a significant advantage in points-off-turners, as they totaled 28 points, compared to Wilkes' 11. The Devils also added 15 points via fast break opportunities. 

WHAT BROUGHT THEM HERE

The Devils stand as one of the only two teams in the MAC Freedom team to have three players in the top ten of the league in scoring. Ortman finishes the regular season with 19.0 points-per-game, which ties him for second among all MAC Freedom players. Fleurantin ranks fifth in the conference, with 18.5 points-per-game. LaRocca rounds out the trio, as he ranks tenth in the conference, with 13.2 points-per-game. 

COACHES THOUGHTS

 "This group has come so far since October 15. Guys in, guys out. Guys healthy, guys hurt. But we stuck together, led by our three returners, believed in what we were trying to do on both ends and are playing our best basketball of the season during the most important time of the year. Can't wait to get back to work on Monday!" - Head Coach Jeff Slanovec

 UP NEXT 

The Devils will head to Hoboken, N.J. to face off against top-ranked Stevens on Wednesday at 8 pm.