Madison, NJ (January 30) – The FDU-Florham men's basketball team was edged by Lycoming College, 71-67, in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play this afternoon inside the Ferguson Recreation Center.
 
FDU (3-16, 0-11 MAC Freedom) was paced by Jamal Santana (Randolph, NJ), who scored 19 points off the bench, while Matthew Johnson (Oak Ridge, NJ), in just his second game since the last time these two teams met, posted 16 points, two rebounds and five assists.
 
Lycoming (12-7, 7-3 MAC Freedom) received 27 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks from Dyson Harward in the winning effort. 
 
The opening half of action saw both teams trade baskets for over 15 minutes. With 4:51 to play in the stanza, Oliver Ortman (North Caldwell, NJ) drained a three as time expired on the shot clock cutting FDU's deficit to just three at 25-22. Lycoming closed the half on a 7-2 run for a 32-24 lead at the break.
 
Lycoming built its lead to double digits early in the second and posted its largest lead of the game at 15 points (55-40) following a free throw by Steven Hamilton. With under five minutes to play in regulation, a three point basket by Santana started a 12-3 run that cut FDU's deficit to just six points at 66-60. 
 
Johnson drained a three pointer with five ticks left on the clock and Gerard Nicholson (Staten Island, NY) hit a driving layup as time expired, but the Warriors knocked down three of four free throws down the stretch to secure the win for the visitors, 71-67.
 
FDU shot 45.0-percent (27-for-60) from the floor and 43.3-percent (13-for-30) from three point range, while Lycoming shot 50.0-percent (28-for-56) from the floor, 26.7-percent (4-for-15) from behind the arc and 55.0-percent (11-for-20) from the free throw line. Lycoming held a 44-24 differential in rebounds, while FDU posted a 10-7 edge in steals.

The Devils scored 26 points in the paint and 19 points off of Lycoming turnovers.

FDU will host the Pratt Institute on Tuesday, February 1 at 6:00 pm in its final non-conference regular season game of the season.

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