By Anthony Covino
Sports Editor
The Knights got their third conference win of the season on Thursday night, defeating the Wagner Seahawks 68-63. FDU improves to 5-15 with a 3-6 record in the NEC, while Wagner falls to 5-15 with a 2-7 record in the NEC.
An 18-0 run powered the Knights to a crucial road victory.
Preseason All-NEC junior guard Jahlil Jenkins led the way for the Knights with 19 points. Senior forward Kaleb Bishop posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Sophomore guard Brandon Powell and freshman guard Devon Dunn both had 10 points.
Junior forward Elyjah Williams had an off night with 7 points and 9 rebounds, as well as redshirt junior guard Xzavier Malone-Key who had 4 points. Sophomore guard Bassel Saliba Jr. had 5 points.
Williams and Malone-Key were averaging 11 and 12.5 points-per-game respectively before the hiccup on Thursday.
FDU gets back on the court on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when they welcome Mount St. Mary’s to the Rothman Center.
The Knights shot 21-53 (39.6%) from the field, 10-26 (38.5%) from three, and 16-20 (80%) from the free throw line.
Freshman forward Darion Jordan-Thomas led the way for the Seahawks with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Graduate student guard Curtis Cobb III had 13 points. Junior guard Elijah Ford had 12 points. Junior guard Chase Freeman had 8 points. Junior guard Will Martinez and sophomore guard Tyrone Nesby IV both had 6 points. Graduate student forward/center Patrick Szpir had 2 points.
Wagner shot 24-56 (42.9%) from the field, 4-22 (18.2%) from three, and 11-15 (73.3%) from the free throw line.
The Knights were behind for most of the first half as they went into halftime down by 7, 36-29. The Seahawks continued to control the Knights following halftime. The Knights were down 47-35 with 14:42 remaining in the game.
The Knights would proceed to an 18-0 run to take a 53-47 lead with 10:09 remaining, and put the game out of reach for the Seahawks.
This was a much needed conference win for the Knights as they are fighting for an NEC Tournament spot as a lower seed.
Via FDU Athletics
Jahlil Jenkins led the Knights with 19 points in the victory.
