Madison, NJ. (December 7) – Stevens Institute of Technology rallied from a 21-3 first half deficit to defeat FDU-Florham, 55-50 in overtime, tonight in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action from the Ferguson Recreation Center.
FDU-Florham dropped to 1-8 overall and to 1-2 in MAC Freedom play, while Stevens improved to 5-4 overall and to 3-0 in the league.
The Devils were led by
Jamal Santana (Randolph, NJ), who totaled fourteen points, one assist and one rebound, while junior
Matthew Johnson (Oak Ridge, NJ) registered nine rebounds to go along 13 points. Jack Spellman recorded twenty-three points and twelve rebounds for Stevens for a double-double in the overtime contest.
Andre Macaranas (Wayne, NJ) made the first points of the game for the Devils on a driving layup on the opening possession. FDU-Florham proceeded to go on an 11-0 run until Stevens Spellman converted on a three pointer.
Michael Morrissey (Pearl River, NY) answered back with a hook shot and ultimately guided the Devils to a 21-3 advantage midway through the stanza. FDU-Florham took its double-digit lead to the locker room as the Devils posted held a 30-16 edge at the break.
FDU-Florham came out to start the second half hungry, with Santana swishing a three-pointer off a pass by
Brian Nichols (Roxbury, NJ). Stevens answered with a 24-7 scoring run to tie the score at 40-40 with 4:27 minutes left in regulation. Both teams traded baskets over the remainder of regulation as Stevens took its first lead of the game at 46-44 off a jumper by Spellman before
Carson Woods (Phoenix, Ariz.) sank a jumper to send the game to overtime.
Stevens scored the first four points of the extra session before a jumper by Woods cut FDU-Florham's deficit to just one possession. However, a three point bucket by Matt Leming put the game out of reach as the Ducks came from behind to defeat the Devils 55-50.
FDU-Florham shot 34.4-percent (21-for-61) from the floor, 14.3-percent (4-for-28) from three point range and 57.1-percent (4-for- 7) from the free throw line, while Stevens shot 38.6-percent (22-for-57) from the floor, 20.0-percent (5-for-25) from three point range and 40.0-percent (6-for-15) from the free throw line.
Stevens scored 30 points in the paint, eight points off FDU-Florham turnovers and 22 points off the bench. The Devils scored 30 points in the paint, nine points off Stevens turnovers and 11 points off the bench.
FDU-Florham will be on the road for the final three games of the calendar year starting on Saturday, December 10 at Wilkes University.
For the latest on FDU-Florham Athletics, follow the Devils via social media (@FDUDevils) on
Twitter,
Facebook,
Instagram and
Youtube.
FDU-Florham is currently running a campaign in honor of former Devils men's basketball head coach, men's golf coach and athletic director Roger Kindel.
All donations will go directly towards funding a complete renovation of the basketball and volleyball court inside the Ferguson Recreation Center with his name dawned on both sides. If you are interested in reading more about the campaign and/or making a donation to the cause, please follow the link here: https://support.fdu.edu/athletics/devils/giving/roger-kindel
