FDU’s Run in NCAA Ends At Hands of FAU
Florida Atlantic 78 – Fairleigh Dickinson 70 Try as they might, the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson didn’t have enough to pull off a second straight upset in the NCAA Tournament,…
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 19: Johnell Davis #1 of the Florida Atlantic Owls shoots the ball against Heru Bligen #3 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the second half in the second round game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Florida Atlantic 78 - Fairleigh Dickinson 70
Try as they might, the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson didn't have enough to pull off a second straight upset in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Florida Atlantic 78-70. Even in defeat, this year's FDU club accomplished enough history becoming the second 16th seed in Tournament history to upset a number 1 seed in Purdue, which it did on Friday. That victory was also the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win.
On Sunday, FDU fell into an early 9-0 hole, but found a way to storm back. They cut Florida Atlantic's lead down to one-point, 15-14 midway through the first half. Later the Knights took their first lead, 33-32 when Joe Muden Jr. hit a three-pointer with 18:24 to go in the game. FDU would build a lead as large as five-points, 49-44 with 12:16 to go when Demetre Roberts hit a three-pointer, but Florida Atlantic stormed back to tie the game at 49. The two teams would exchange leads the rest of the way, until Florida Atlantic took the lead for good in the later stages of the second half and never let go.
