Freshman Paris Papadatos hit a three-pointer from the wing in front of his team’s bench just before the end of regulation to lift the Red Flash to an 85-82 win over FDU on Jan. 4 at the Stokes Center.
This victory was the first for the Flash against a Division I opponent this season and the first DI win for SFU’s first-year head coach Luke McConnell.
Papadatos’ game-winning shot was featured on Sportscenter’s Top-10 Plays-of-the-Day on Jan. 5. The freshman from Greece finished the game with nine points. He also chipped in three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Flash in their first NEC victory of the season.
Papadatos hit the game-winner in front of his mother, father and sister, who are currently visiting the United States from Greece. The game against FDU was the second of four SFU games that they will attend during their visit to U.S.
“It’s a special moment playing in front of my family again after a year and a half,” said Papadatos, who hit the game-winner two days before his birthday (Jan. 6). “There couldn’t be a better way to finish it.”
SFU graduate student Skylar Wick led all players with 24 points. The NEC’s second-leading scorer connected on four three-pointers and grabbed six rebounds.
Joey Niesman had 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Knights.
Both FDU (4-11, 1-1 NEC) and SFU (3-12, 1-1 NEC) had identical field goal shooting numbers for the game: 25-of-54 (46 percent). The Flash and the Knights were also even in rebounds, with 30 boards for each team.
Senior Chris Moncrief had his best game of the season for SFU, scoring 14 points. The senior forward missed a large portion of the non-conference season with an ankle injury.
Ahmad Harrison added 12 points, six assists and a block for the Red Flash. The Baltimore native delivered the pass to Papadatos to set up the game-winning shot.
Saint Francis plays Wagner on Jan. 8 on Staten Island. The game tips at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC FrontRow.
