Madison, NJ (December 1) – FDU-Florham men's basketball raced out to an early 19-2 lead tonight against Delaware Valley University, but the Aggies came from behind to defeat the Devils 83-67 in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener for both squads tonight.
 
FDU (3-4, 0-1 MAC Freedom) received a double double from Oliver Ortman (North Caldwell, NJ), who posted 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Matthew Johnson (Oak Ridge, NJ) chipped in with a game-high 19 points, six blocks, three assists and six rebounds. Delaware Valley (5-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom) was led by Matt Paulus, who scored 18 points on the night.
 
Over the first 5:52 of the game, the Devils hit six of their first seven shots including five that came from behind the arc for the early 19-2 lead. Delaware Valley, however, outscored FDU 43-14 over the final 15 minutes of the first half for a 45-33 edge at halftime. Midway through the first half, the Aggies scored seven straight and put together a 26-4 run that spanned nearly seven minutes.
 
In the second half, FDU was able to cut its deficit to just three at 50-47 following a jumper by Ortman, but Delaware Valley answered and rebuilt its lead to double figures following an 11-3 run. The Aggies had their largest lead of the game of 17 points at 83-66 with less than 20 seconds to play in the game.
 
As a team, FDU shot 50.0-percent (23-for-46) from the floor, 44.4-percent (12-for-27) from behind the arc and 47.4-percent (9-for-19) from the free throw line. Statistically, Delaware Valley led in rebounds (38-30) and steals (8-2), while FDU led in blocks (7-0) and assists (15-14).
 
The Devils scored 20 points in the paint and posted eight points off of Delaware Valley turnovers.
 
FDU will host Wilkes University on Saturday, December 4 at 3:00 pm in another MAC Freedom game in the Rec. Fans are encouraged to wear purple on Saturday to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the first 125 in attendance will receive a free purple shirt.

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