By Anthony Covino
Sports Editor
In the rematch of last year’s NEC championship, FDU came up short against Saint Francis (Pa.), 100-85.
FDU falls to 3-13 on the season with a 1-4 record in the NEC. Saint Francis improves to 11-5 with a 4-1 record in the NEC.
The first half was a back and forth battle between both teams, and heading into halftime Saint Francis lead 44-42.
The leading scorer for the Knights was senior forward Kaleb Bishop who had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Jahlil Jenkins had 15 points and 8 assists. Sophomore guard Brandon Powell had 12 points, and redshirt freshman forward Marc Dadika had a career high 13 points.
FDU shot 33-66 (50%) from the field, 7-20 (35%) from three, and 12-13 (92.3%) from the free throw line.
Saint Francis’s leading scorer was redshirt senior guard Isaiah Blackmon, who had 25 points. Redshirt sophomore guard/forward Tyler Stewart chipped in with 19 points of his own. Sophomore forward Myles Thompson had 18 points and Preseason All-NEC senior guard Keith Braxton had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Red Flash shot 37-65 (56.9%) from the field, 11-21 (52.4%) from three, and 15-17 (88.2%) from the free throw line.
The Knights struggles continued as they give up 100 points to the NEC co-champion.
This is the first time the Knights have allowed an opponent to score in triple digits, but the team has allowed 80 points to the opposition eight times so far this season.
This looks like a lost season for Coach Greg Herenda and his Knights, but they still have time to secure a spot in the NEC tournament, but only as a lower seed.
The top eight teams in the conference make the NEC Playoffs at season’s end. The Knights are currently in ninth with the conference slate just getting underway.
The Knights will look to get back in the win column when they host Central Connecticut State on Monday, January 20 at 3:30 p.m.
The Red Flash will host Sacred Heart on Saturday, January 18 at 7 p.m., and it is Student-Athlete Appreciation Night.
