Sunday, December 01, 2002

From staff and wire service reports

HACKENSACK - Freshman forward Gordon Klaiber got a passing grade Saturday night in his debut for Fairleigh Dickinson, which is enjoying its first two-game winning streak in two seasons.

The Knights (2-0) ran past Morgan State, 91-75, in the Rothman Center, and the 6-foot-8 Klaiber came off the bench late in the first half and contributed seven points, two rebounds, and one block in 10 minutes.

"This is my first game, so I know I'm going to build on this and have a better game next game," Klaiber said after shooting 2-for-5 from the field, including a dunk, and a three-point play, and swishing all three foul shots.

Klaiber sat out the preseason and Monday's opening win over Army while the NCAA determined the legitimacy of a high school Spanish class toward his eligibility. He was cleared Tuesday and looked capable of contributing immediately to a team that last season suffered a worst-ever 4-25 campaign.

"For a first game, I'm real pleased with Gordon," coach Tom Green said. "It's going to take him a while to really learn our offenses and defenses. He's behind three or four weeks in terms of the rest of the team, but he is going to blend in. He's a natural athlete, and he is going to be a help, no question about it."

Klaiber was part of a bench that contributed mightily with 54 points. Freshman sharpshooter Neven Cuzela of Croatia made five of 10 three-pointers and scored a team-high 17. Standout senior forward Matt Hammond, still working his way back from knee surgery, had 12 points and a team-high six rebounds. Senior forward Lionel Bomayako scored 14 for the Knights, and junior point guard Marcus Whitaker added 11 points and a game-high eight assists.

Senior guard Randy Dukes led Butch Beard-coached Morgan State (0-3) with a game-high 19 points.

FDU has beaten Morgan State five times in six tries, and has not lost to the Bears since 1979.