Williamsport, Pa. (December 11) – Despite 26 points from sophomore Matthew Johnson (Oak Ridge, NJ), the FDU-Florham men's basketball team dropped a 74-55 decision to Lycoming College in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play on Saturday afternoon.
 
Johnson added five rebounds, four steals and an assist to go along with his 26 points for FDU-Florham (3-7, 0-3 MAC Freedom), while Oliver Ortman (North Caldwell, NJ) chipped in with 12 points, five rebounds and a block. Lycoming (5-4, 1-1 MAC Freedom) received a 16 point, 17 rebound double double from Dyson Howard as well as a game-high 23 points from Matt Ilodigwe.
 
Lycoming led from start to finish in today's game as the Warriors jumped out to a 12-2 lead over the opening four minutes of action. A three pointer by Johnson cut the Devils deficit to just five points at 18-13 with 7:30 to play in the first half, but just five minutes later, Lycoming regained its double digit edge at 34-121 following a layup by Deaundre Manuel. The Warriors led 38-26 at the break.
 
FDU trailed by nine early in the second, but a dunk by Manuel gave the Warriors a double digit lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Lycoming took its largest lead of the game at 74-52 (22 points) with two minutes left in regulation and went on to win 74-55 this afternoon.
 
The Devils shot 37.5-percent (18-for-48) from the floor, 13.6-percent (3-for-22) from behind the arc and 80.0-percent (16-for-20) from the free throw line. FDU scored 26 of its 55 points in the paint and 15 off of Lycoming turnovers. 

Lycoming, which shot 45.0-percent from the floor (27-for-60) and 32.3-percent (10-for-31) from behind the arc held a 48-21 advantage in rebounds and scored 28 of its 74 points in the paint.
 
FDU will travel to Trinity College (Conn.) on December 30 for its holiday tournament. The Devils will play the host Bantams at 5:00 pm on the 30th and either Colby-Sawyer College or Fitchburg State University on the 31st.

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