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HACKENSACK, N.J. – After closing out the non-conference portion of the schedule on Wednesday against Columbia (a 87-83 loss in overtime), Fairleigh Dickinson resumes Northeast Conference play on Saturday with a trip to Sacred Heart.

OPENING TIP
FDU hits the road for the first time in a month with the visit to Sacred Heart. The Knights went 3-5 on the eight-game homestand.

SERIES SCORE
Sacred Heart has dominated the series with FDU. The Pioneers own a 25-3 record all-time in the series, which dates to the 1997-98 season. FDU has never won at SHU.

LAST TIME OUT
FDU held an eight-point lead with two minutes to go but Columbia came back and tied the game to force OT. The Lions then hit all eight of their free throws in OT to earn the 87-83 win. Columbia was 28-of-30 from the free throw line on the night.

RETURNING SCORING
The Knights are one of two teams to return two players that averaged at least 18 a game last season. Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) averaged 18.5 and  Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) at 18.1. Ohio State is the other with Kelsey Mitchell at 24.9 and Ameryst Alston at 19.8.

HOME COOKING
FDU will hope to take advantage of seven home non-conference games this season. The Knights also have an eight-game home stand from Dec. 9 through Jan. 6. FDU went 3-5.

PRESEASON POLL
FDU was picked 4th in the NEC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the coaches. It is the highest preseason ranking under Pete Cinella and highest since 1993-94.

PRESEASON ALL-NEC
Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) was tabbed Preseason All-NEC after averaging a double-double last season (18 and 10). The redshirt-senior was the NEC Defensive POTY and First Team All-NEC last season.
 
1,300 POINTS & COUNTING
Erika Livermore (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) (1,593) and Kelsey Cruz (Chester, Va./Lloyd C. Bird) (1,337) passed the 1,000-point milestone last season. Livermore is the sixth player to reach 1500.

NEW POINT
The graduation of Amanda Andrades (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) and her 175 assists (5.8 apg) and 36.8 minutes leaves a big hole for the Knights. Kiana Brown (Richmond, Va./Hermitage), Madelynn Comly (Littlestown, Pa./Delone Catholic) and Natalie Zamora (Albuquerque, N.M./St. Pius X) and will compete for those minutes and assists.

AMONGST THE TREES
FDU led the NEC in blocks per game last season (3.83) and was second in total blocks with 115. FDU is second so far this season with 4.50 per game. First in total blocks (65).

SECOND CHANCES
FDU is first in total OREB with 237. The Knights are second in OREB per game at 15.8.

TURNOVERS! JUST NOT APPLE
FDU has turned the ball over at least 20 times in a game 6 times, 4 in the last 6 games. On the season they are averaging 19.1 per game.

NEC RANKS
Scoring offense - 5th (61.0)
Scoring defense - 8th (72.4)
FT percentage - 6th (68.3%)
FG% defense - 3rd (41.0%)
Rebounding off/def - 4th/8th (38.9/41.1)
Total Rebounds - 1st (593)
Steals - 4th (113)

NO TRIPLE THREAT
FDU has made the fewest 3-pointers in the NEC (48) and rank 299th in D1. The Knights are 8th in 3FG% at 28.4% on the season, which is 259th in D1.