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The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team will look to win back-to-back games for the first time since early December 2010 when they conclude their mini-NEC road trip with a Saturday afternoon contest against Central Connecticut State in Detrick Gymnasium in New Britain, CT.  Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.
 
The Knights (2-18, 1-8 NEC) finally made its way back into the win column this past Thursday with an exciting 66-63 victory at Bryant in Northeast Conference play.  The win ended a program-worst 16-game losing streak and a nine-game NEC losing streak dating back to the final day of conference play last season.  A streak of 12 consecutive road losses also ended with the victory.
 
After taking an early lead, FDU found itself down two before an 11-0 spurt gave them a nine-point lead late in the first half.  The lead eventually reached 11 at 36-25 before a Bryant basket before halftime cut the lead to 36-27 at the break.  The Bulldogs fought back in the second half to tie the game at 52, but Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison)'s three gave the Knights the lead for good.  FDU hit 5-of-7 foul shots in the final minute as they hung on for the 66-63 victory.  The Knights shot 46.7 percent (21-of-45) from the floor for the game including 6-of-18 from three-point range.  They also knocked down 18-of-24 (75 percent) free throws and registered 13 assists on their 21 made baskets, while turning the ball over 12 times.
 
Junior Lonnie Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach), who played all 40 minutes, tied a career-high with 25 points as he knocked down a career-best nine free throws on 11 attempts.  He also added six rebounds.  Smith added 12 points as he tied a career-best with four three-pointers including two big ones in the second half, while grabbing a game-high seven rebounds.  Graduate student George Goode (Raytown, MO/Raytown South) chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, a team-high three assists and a game-high two blocked shots before fouling out with eight seconds to go.
 
Scouting Central Connecticut State: The Blue Devils (9-10, 6-3 NEC), who were picked to finish third in the Northeast Conference, currently sit in fifth place in the conference standings.  They have lost two in a row and three of four after winning three straight to break a five-game losing streak.  CCSU started out the season 0-2 but rallied to win five consecutive games before going on its five-game skid.  The Blue Devils are coming off a tough 58-56 home overtime loss to Monmouth this past Thursday as it was only the second home loss in the last 12 games for CCSU.  Before losing to Monmouth, the Blue Devils lost another close game as they fell at Sacred Heart, 62-61, last Saturday.
 
Reigning NEC Player of the Year and preseason NEC Player of the Year Ken Horton leads the team in scoring (20.1 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg).  The senior forward's scoring average ranks second in the NEC, while his rebounding average tops all student-athletes in the conference.  Horton is also shooting nearly 50 percent (129-of-259) from the floor and leads the team in blocks (25) and steals (36), while shooting 80.2 percent (73-of-91) from the free throw line.  Probable NEC Freshman of the Year Kyle Vinales is the team's second leading scorer (18.4 ppg) which ranks third in the NEC.  He is shooting 39 percent (53-of136) from three-point range and is shooting 80.7 percent (46-of-57) from the free throw line.  Senior guard Robby Ptacek is the team's third-leading scorer (17.8 ppg) which ranks fourth in the NEC.  He is an outstanding free throw shooter as he has made 89-of-95 (93.7 percent) on the year.  
 
All-Time Series: This will be only the 32nd meeting between the two schools dating back to 1988-89 season with the Knights holding a 17-14 advantage.  Last season, both teams won on their home floors as FDU won 48-46 at Stratis Arena before losing in overtime at Detrick Gymnasium, 72-67.