ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 7, 2025) – Morgan State men's tennis team faced a tough challenge on Friday but ultimately fell to FDU in a decisive 7-0 defeat. The Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) came out strong, securing the doubles point early to gain momentum and establish a 1-0 lead.

Starting the night off strong, the Burgundy and Blue took won the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. As the competition shifted to the singles matches, FDU maintained their grip on the contest, sweeping through all six individual matchups with strong court presence and consistent play.

Tze En Gareth Ong secured the first singles victory of the night, decisively defeating Jacob Poole with a score of 2-6, 1-6. Following closely behind, Thomas Linley and Gryffin Minor continued the momentum, each securing wins in their respective matches. Linley took on Makkijha Brown and emerged victorious. Meanwhile, Minor faced off against Majid Ben Abdelwahed, where he pulled away with a two set win. 

Three more victories by Joshua Oboniye, Tauras Mickus and Tyler Crook secured the sweep for FDU.

How It Happened

Singles
No. 1 – Joshua Oboniye (FDU) d. Mikeal Carpenter 7(7)-6(5), 3-6, 1(10)-0(8)
No. 2 – Thomas Linley (FDU) d. Makkijha Brown (MSU) 6-1, 6-4
No. 3 – Tyler Crook (FDU) d. Yessine Kerouat (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
No. 4 – Gryffin Minor (FDU) d. Majdi Ben Abdelwahed (MSU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 5 –Tauras Mickus (FDU) d. Mohamed Ridha Ghettas (MSU) 6-3, 4-6, 1(10)-0(5)
No. 6 –Tze En Gareth Ong (FDU) d. Jacob Poole (MSU) 6-2, 6-1

Order of finish: 6,2,4,1,5,3

Doubles
No. 3 – Andrew Nicolaae/Tze En Gareth Ong (FDU) d. Jacob Poole/Yessine Kerouat (MSU) 6-2
No. 1 –Joshua Oboniye/Tyler Crook (FDU) d. Makkijha Brown/Mohamed Ridha Ghettas (MSU) 6-3
No. 2 – Thomas Linley/Griffin Minor (FDU) d. Mikeal Carpenter/Majidi Ben Abdelwahed (MSU) 6-4

Order of finish: 3,1,2
 

Next Up: The Bears will visit Bucknell on Sunday, Feb. 9 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.