RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The University of the Sciences highlighted a strong defensive effort with a significant rebounding advantage and earned a 67-62 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference men's basketball victory over host Felician University on Saturday afternoon at Job Gymnasium.  

In defeat, Felician junior forward Rahsaan Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./Chelsea CTE) turned in his fourth consecutive "double-double," and seventh of the season. Williams completed Saturday with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Senior guard Flo Da-Silva (Moorestown, N.J./Bishop Eustace) more than countered for the Devils, amassing 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

The Golden Falcons (8-9, 5-4 CACC) entered the day having shot 45.0 percent from the field in its eight home games this season, including 44.9 percent from three-point range. But on Saturday, Felician was held to 22 of 64 overall (34.4 percent) and 6 for 25 from distance (24.0).

The Devils (11-7, 7-3) also enjoyed a 50-36 rebounding advantage. In addition to Da-Silva's effort, USciences received 15 points and 10 rebounds from junior frontcourtman Brendan Crawford (Haddonfield, N.J./Camden Catholic). Junior Beni Toure (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) also pulled down 10 caroms.

The first half featured six ties and eight lead changes. Felician owned its largest lead of the day, 24-19, following a three-pointer by Mansfield Warren Jr. (South Amboy, N.J./St. Mary-Elizabeth) with two minutes, 41 seconds, left in the opening period. But USciences closed the half on a 9-1 run. A Da-Silva three in the waning seconds broke a 25-25 tie, and the Golden Falcons never led again.

The Devils were up by eight points on three occasions in the early stages of the second period. By the 10:11 mark, Felician was back within 51-49, and misfired on a three-point attempt to take the lead. The Golden Falcons went five minutes without scoring, but USciences was only able to stretch to a 56-49 advantage.

However, a conventional three-point play by Crawford, a Felician traveling violation, and a Toure lay-up put the visitors up by 10 with 3:17 to play. The Golden Falcons netted the next four points, but by then, only 1:41 showed on the game clock. Felician forced a turnover, but missed on a chance to cut further into the deficit, and Devil freshman Paddy Casey (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Prep) went 6 for 6 at the foul line in the final 63 seconds.

Terrell Spaulding (Paterson, N.J./Eastside) scored 14 points with four assists for the Golden Falcons, while Warren and Zamir Wright (Newark, N.J./University HS) totaled 10 points each. USciences' Casey accumulated 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

On Wednesday, Felician completes its two-game season series with CACC North rival Caldwell University, hosting the Cougars at 8 p.m. in Rutherford.