Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis men's basketball team (5-8, 1-1 NEC) was handed its first home loss of the 2018-19 season on Saturday night as the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (6-8, 1-1 NEC) cruised to a 79-61 win.
Krimmel's Reaction
"I thought our focus and energy was good to start the game but we hit a lull midway through the first half and it really hurt our ability to execute the way we needed to against a good team," said head coach
Rob Krimmel. "I know our guys will be eager to get to lift and practice tomorrow and put this one behind them."
Turning Point
Saint Francis did indeed start fast, knocking down 7-of-its first 11 shots to open a 17-14 lead. However, the Red Flash went just 3-for-16 from the field the rest of the half as the Knights outscored them 26-7 over the final 10:40 of the half to lead 40-24. The Red Flash didn't get any closer than 16 at any point of the second half.
Inside the Box Score
- Saint Francis finished the game 21-of-51 (41.2%) from the field and 5-of-21 from three-point range.
- The Knights were a much more efficient 33-of-57 from the floor (57.9%) and 7-of-19 (36.8%) from three.
- The Red Flash were 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the foul line while Fairleigh Dickinson made 6-of-11 (54.5%) from the charity stripe.
- Rebounds were even at 31-31.
- The Red Flash committed 20 turnovers, its most since Nov. 24 while forcing FDU into 12.
- Points from turnovers favored FDU, 21-13.
- The Knights gave SFU problems inside, outscoring Saint Francis 46-26 in the paint.
Notes
- Senior Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)) led Saint Francis in scoring for the third straight game with 13 points.
- Freshman Myles Thompson (Camden, N.J./Camden) joined him in double figures with 10 points.
- SFU's 24 points in the first half were its fewest in a half since a loss at Virginia Tech on Nov. 24.
- The Knights led for the last 29:55 and held a 28-point led with 9:44 to play.
- The matchup featured the top two teams in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll as SFU was picked first and FDU was picked second.
- Freshman A.J. Labriola (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) made his first career field goal in the loss.
Up Next
Saint Francis heads to New York and will open its week on Thursday, Jan. 10, at LIU Brooklyn at 7 p.m.
