SFU Postgame Quotes |
FDU Postgame Quotes
Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis men's basketball team (18-14, 12-6) fell to Fairleigh Dickinson 85-76 on Tuesday night in the NEC Championship in front of a capacity crowd of 2,610 fans. It was SFU's first home championship game since 1990-91. The Red Flash will continue its season later this month in the NIT, its first appearance in the national tournament since 1958.
Krimmel's Reaction
"I told these guys that they can't let one game define their season," said head coach
Rob Krimmel. "Every individual in that locker room did everything that was asked of them this season. Tonight's atmosphere was electric and that is a testament to the hardwork and commitment of our guys. It wasn't in God's Will tonight but I couldn't be more proud of this group and what they have done for our program."
Turning Point
Saint Francis opened the game on an 11-2 run before the Knights responded with a 16-2 run to take an 18-13 lead. The Red Flash trailed 40-31 at the half but cut the deficit to 55-52 on a layup by senior
Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) with 11:09 remaining. Fairleigh Dickinson held its poise once again, responding with a 10-0 run to take a 13-point lead and held off the Red Flash down the stretch.
First Half Summary
Fairleigh Dickinson shot 17-of-27 (63.0%) from the field in the first half and 4-of-7 from deep. SFU stayed within reach on 4-of-10 shooting from three-point range but made just 1-of-9 free throws and trailed by nine at the half.
Second Half Summary
Saint Francis continued to throw its best shot at the Knights, shooting 8-of-13 from three-point range in the second half. Fairleigh Dickinson never wavered, making 13 of its 20 second half shots (65.0%), three of six three-pointers and 16-of-18 free throws.
Inside the Box Score
- Fairleigh Dickinson made 30-of-47 (63.8%) shots from the field, the highest shooting percentage against the Red Flash all season. Saint Francis finished 30-of-63 (47.6%).
- SFU made 12-of-23 three-pointers (52.2%) while FDU knocked down 7-of-13 (53.8%).
- The biggest discrepancy came at the foul line where Fairleigh Dickinson made 18-of-20 (90.0%) while Saint Francis was 4-of-17 (23.5%), its lowest percentage in any game over the last 10 seasons.
- Saint Francis attacked the glass, coming down with 15 offensive rebounds to win the rebounding battle 29-25. Second chance points favored SFU, 16-2.
- The Knights' length inside was a factor as FDU blocked eight shots and outscored SFU 42-34 in the paint.
- FDU's bench accounted for all 85 of its points. SFU's bench outscored FDU's 21-0.
Notes
- Senior Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)) led Saint Francis with 21 points and eight assists.
- Junior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) collected his 13th double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- Redshirt junior Isaiah Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte) made three three-pointers to finish the game with 13 points.
- Sophomore Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) added 12 points off the bench.
- Saint Francis has appeared in two championships in the last three years after a 25-year drought.
- The senior class of Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)), Andre Wolford (North Olmstead, Ohio/Saint Ignatius), Jordan Forehand (Bridgewater, N.J./IMG Academy (Fla.)) and Michael Klebon (Paxinos, Pa./Southern Columbia) became the first class to appear in two NEC Championship games in program history.
Up Next
Saint Francis will find out its opponent in the first round of the NIT at the end of the week and continue its season later in the month.
