Morristown, NJ (November 9) – Led by a double double from graduate student Oliver Ortman (North Caldwell, NJ) and a game high 23 points by first-year Jamal Santana (Randolph, NJ) in his first collegiate game, the FDU-Florham men's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a 72-69 win over the College of Saint Elizabeth on the road this evening.
 
The Devils built their lead to eight points over the opening eight minutes of the contest as FDU led 16-8 following a layup from Matthew Johnson (Oak Ridge, NJ). Saint Elizabeth climbed back into the game and eventually tied the score up at 25-25 after a layup by Nasir Owens with 6:57 to play in the first half. 

A pair of free throws by Carson Woods (Phoenix, Ariz.) knotted the score up at 27-27 just a minute later and FDU gained its lead back with six straight points at 33-27 thanks to four points by Santana and two by Ortman. FDU, which made 12 shots from the field over the opening 20 minutes of the season, took a 38-32 lead into the halftime break.
 
Both teams traded baskets and the lead over the first 13 minutes of half number two as the score sat at 56-56 with 7:12 to play in regulation following a jumper by Ortman. FDU, however capitolized and ripped off a 10-0 run that featured five points from Ortman, three from Santana and two from Gerard Nicholson (Staten Island, NY) for the 66-56 advantage.

The hosts slowly chipped away at that ten point gap and cut their deficit to just one at 70-69 following a three pointer by Tyrese Converse with 12 ticks left on the clock, but two good free throws by Johnson sealed the season opening win for the Devils, 72-69.
 
Santana led the way for FDU with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the floor and a 4-for-8 performance from behind the arc. Johnson chipped in with 18 points, four assists and four rebounds, while Ortman tallied his first double double of the year with 16 points and ten boards.

As a team, the Devils shot 41.4-percent (24-for-58) from the floor, 32.1-percent (9-for-28) from deep and 78.9-percent (15-for-19) from the free throw line. FDU posted 22 points inside the paint and notched seven points off of turnovers.

FDU (1-0) will travel to Franklin & Marshall College for its Tip Off Tournament this weekend. The Devils will play the host Diplomats on Friday, November 12 at 8:30 pm and either Baruch College or Lancaster Bible on Saturday evening.

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