Basketball-M vs. Florida Atlantic University (Exhibition)
BOCA RATON, Fla. – In its final tune-up of the preseason, Lynn University's men's basketball team fell to cross-town rivals Florida Atlantic University 87-80 on Monday night. Kaleb Clyburn led all Fighting Knights scorers with 18 points while Brandon Smith and Shamel Akins chipped in 16 and 15, respectively. Lynn opens its season Friday, November 9, against Ave Maria at the de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center.
The Fighting Knights got on the board first while capitalizing on two free throws from an Owls foul. Florida Atlantic quickly pulled ahead, though, and held the lead the remainder of the game. Dragan Sekelja paced the Owls in the first half with 14 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field while Lynn was led by Clyburn, who put up 11 points. He finished with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Lynn shot an impressive 83.3% from the free throw line in the first half while Florida Atlantic shot 57.1% but the Owls headed into locker room with a seven point, 42-35, lead.
Akins keyed a big LU run in the second period, helping the team erase a 15-point deficit and pulling to within six. Slobodon Miljanic then closed the gap to four with less than a minute remaining but the Owls Stefan Moody knocked down four shots at the line to put the game out of reach.
The Blue & White improved their game from behind the arc, connecting for seven treys in the second half while FAU rallied with by hitting 61.9% of its shots from the charity stripe. Lynn had a total of 17 turnovers in the contest and FAU had 14 and a total of eight steals.
Lynn opens its season at home against Ave Maria on Friday, November 9. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm. Fans can catch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram.