Melbourne, Fla. (12/20/24)  The Dominican University New York men's basketball team fell to the Fighting Knights of Lynn University, 82-77, this evening in their opening game of the Florida Tech Winter Classic, hosted by Florida Tech at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center.

Following the loss, the Chargers fall to 5-5 on the season, while Lynn improves to 6-3 overall.

Lynn led 35-30 with 3:13 remaining in the first half when a 5-2 Charger run, featuring a tip-in by Emmanuel Smith and a three-point basket from Key'Sean Maynard, made the score 37-35 with 2:19 to go.  Following a three by the Fighting Knights, Smith closed out the half with a layup to cut the lead to 40-37 at the break.

Dominican trailed 60-54 with a little over 11 minutes left in regulation when the team went on an 8-0 tie to take a 62-60 advantage with just over nine minutes on the clock.  Trailing 77-70, DUNY would rally once again with under two minutes to play with a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to 78-766 with 33 ticks left.  LU closed out the game by hitting four out of six free throws to hang on to the 82-77 win.

The Chargers shot 51.9% (28-54) from the floor and 66.7% (18-27) from the charity stripe, while the Fighting Knights shot 44.8% (30-67) from the floor and 60% (12-20) from the foul line.

Guard Jaden Honis led three players in double figures with 15 points.

Smith finished with the game's only double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds and tied his career high with five blocks in the loss.

Isaiah Honis added 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Chance Morrish and Maynard dished out a team high four assists each.

Dominican will close out play in 2024 tomorrow as they take on Florida Tech.  Tip-off is slated for 5pm.