Felician Athletics - 11/17/07 MEN'S BASKETBALL

ELKINS, W. Va. -- Two late free throws by senior guard Derrell Thomas (New York, NY) help seal Felician's season-opening 85-82 men's basketball victory over Mercyhurst College during the first round of the Davis & Elkins Tip-Off on Saturday night at the McDonnell Center.

Felician put four scorers in double figures, three of them freshmen, as it shot 53 percent from the floor to hold off multiple comeback attempts from the Lakers. Newcomer Devon Young (Monmouth Junction, NJ) had 16 points and nine assists, and fellow rookie Kashiff Foster (Somerset, NJ) scored 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added seven rebounds.

Mercyhurst (1-1) had trailed by many as 13 points in the first half before closing to within 40-38 at halftime. The Lakers briefly led by four points in the second period, but found themselves down, 73-65 with 6:31 to play. A 14-5 spurt gave the Lakers a one-point edge before two James Harper (Eatontown, NJ) free throws put Felician (1-1) ahead to stay with 2:48 to play.

However, a Jason Romer (New York, NY) three-point field goal was answered by a three-point play from Srdjan Popovic (Montenegro). After the teams traded defensive stops, Thomas made two free throws with 21 seconds to play, then rebounded the Lakers' unsuccessful tying three-point attempt in the closing seconds.

Romer finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists and freshman Marshall Akins (Egg Harbor Township, NJ) scored 12 points for Felician, which survived 25 points from Mercyhurst's Terry Smith (Syracuse, NY). The Golden Falcons assisted on 26 of their 32 field goals, and shot 61 percent in the second half.

Felician plays the host Senators on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the tournament's championship game.