RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Felician University men's basketball team came up on the short end of an 88-82 decision to visiting Fairmont State University in non-conference action on Friday evening at Job Gymnasium. The Golden Falcons and Fighting Falcons were meeting for the first time.

Fairmont State (8-2) is ranked No. 14 in the most recent national NCAA Division II coaches' poll. The Fighting Falcons sit in the No. 22 spot in the media version.

In a game which featured 12 ties and 11 lead changes, Fairmont State pulled away by creating opportunities at the foul line and limiting Felician's second chances. The visitors were 21 for 24 (87.5 percent) at the foul line as opposed to 7 for 9 for the Golden Falcons. FSU also amassed a 44-33 rebounding advantage, including 32-22 on the defensive glass. Fairmont State junior Seth Younkin (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville Area) led all players with 17 boards.

All but two of Felician's points came from its starting unit. Junior swingman Justin Davis (Jersey City, N.J./Hoboken) scored a game-high 25 points with seven rebounds, and classmate Jaylen Colon (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) (8-12 FG, 3-3 3FG) finished with 23 points. The Golden Falcons received 16 points and 10 rebounds from junior forward Dee-End McRae (Newark, N.J./Newark Central).

Felician (5-4) matched its largest lead at 60-54 following a successful Nas Amos (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) jump shot with 11 minutes, 38 seconds, remaining in regulation time. Still trailing, 64-61, at the 8:39 mark, Fairmont State used a 7-0 run over the next 2 ½ minutes to take the lead for good.

Trailing 68-66, the Golden Falcons came up empty with a chance to tie or go ahead as the game clock wound under five minutes. Fairmont State then slowly pulled away by scoring on its next seven possessions. When a Cole VonHandorf (Covington, Ky./Covington Catholic) free throw gave FSU an 82-75 edge at the 1:02 mark, it was the first time all night the teams were separated by more than two possessions.

VonHandorf collected 22 points, five rebounds and six assists, including a 9-of-10 night at the foul line. The visitors had led, 34-33, at halftime. Felician's Amos scored 12 points with four assists.

Felician continues a four-game homestand by entertaining Saint Michael's College on Monday at 6 p.m. in Rutherford.