MADISON (NJ) – The Delaware Valley University men's basketball team fell into a seven-point hole at halftime, and despite shooting 50-percent from the field in the game, could not overcome the deficit and fell to host FDU-Florham, 83-71, in a Saturday Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom tilt.

The Devils improved to 6-6 in league play and maintained a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot while the Aggies fell to 2-10 and 6-16 overall.

The two teams exchanged the lead five times over the first 10 minutes of play and the score was knotted at 21-21 with 8:52 left in the first stanza.

Mike Cianciulli found Damian Washington for a mid-range jumper, but FDU-Florham scored the next eight points to take a six-point lead. Jordan Tucker scored consecutive baskets to get DelVal back within two, but the Devils maintained a 39-33 advantage at the break.

FDU-Florham built its lead to 11, 53-42, 6:03 into the second half. A three-point play by Tucker and another jumper from Washington got the Aggies back within six with just 13 minutes to play.

The Devils maintained a six-point lead, 60-54, with 9:20 left in regulation. DelVal got a jumper from Nestor Diaz, and free throws from Tucker and Craig Rosenberger and it was a one-point game, 60-59, with eight minutes remaining.

Oliver Ortman scored the next five points of the game for FDU-Florham and that fueled a 10-0 Devils run that gave the home team a 69-59 lead with 5:36 left.

Mike Cianciulli hit a pair of treys for DelVal, but Ortman interjected with a jumper and it was a six-point game with 4:22 remaining. The rest of the way, the Devils outscored the Aggies, 12-6, and held on for the 12-point win.

Tucker led DelVal with 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Cianciulli secured a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards. Washington finished with 18 points and five rebounds.

Ortman led all scorers with 25 points to go with five steals, and Andy Fleurantin added 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.