Allowing only one tie (5-5) the entire game, SUNO handled the Bleu Devils from start to finish.  Dillard fell behind early, but did not appear rattled by the Knights quick start in first half action.  The score was 30-24 at halftime and the Bleu Devils had played decent defense.  So, no worries, right?

Wrong.  In the second half, SUNO grabbed a double-digit lead (36-24) at 18:06, which it held on to until Mico Sjekloca hit a shot with less than four minutes remaining to cut the lead to nine points, 60-51.  A subsequent foul by the Knight's Craig Kemp landed Sjekloca on the free throw line for two bonus shots.  Converting both, he inched the Bleu Devils closer, 60-53, at the 3:23 mark. 

Fouls and free throws, with a few field goals peppered in between, was the recipe for both teams down the stretch.  The last minute of the game was the most exciting, as the Bleu Devils capitalized on late SUNO mistakes, making their way to the charity stripe three times to get within one point, 70-69, with 12 seconds remaining. The Knights took the ball out and five seconds had ticked off before James Burkes fouled Jared Drake. With SUNO in the bonus, Drake got two shots and made both to put his team back up by three.  Seven seconds remained and Dillard took one last shot, but it was no good and the Knights held on to the rebound for the win.

Cornice Wingate, who hit key free throws down the stretch, led Dillard with 15 points, followed by Autrail Manning with 10.  Burkes and Sjekloca had nine points apiece, and Sjekloca added six rebounds.  Freshman guard Jerry Thompson, who had logged only one free throw attempt and one personal foul in four games, saw plenty of action tonight.  In 17 minutes, he scored the first seven points of his collegiate career, grabbed six boards and had one steal.

Leading the Knights was Ricardo Porter with 17 points and six rebounds.  SUNO shot 52 percent from the field.

Dillard will host GCAC No.2 Louisiana State University - Shreveport (17-2, 6-1) on Thursday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Dent Gym.