HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball returns to the road this Saturday to square off with eighth-ranked Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

FDU (2-5, 0-0 NEC) vs. #8 Kentucky (6-1, 0-0 SEC)
Saturday, Dec. 7 - 4 PM | Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Watch: SEC Network
Talent:  Kevin Fitzgerald and Dane Bradshaw
Notes: KNIGHTS | Kentucky
Links: Live Stats | Twitter | NEC Weekly

All-Time Series
First-ever meeting

Last Time Out
Behind a career-high 29 points from redshirt junior guard Xzavier Malone-Key, the Knights held off Quinnipiac 78-77 at Stratis Arena on Tuesday night.
 
The Burgundy and Blue raced out of the gates and established an 18-point lead in the first six minutes, which proved to be their largest advantage of the night.
 
Despite the early cushion, the game would come down to the wire as Malone-Key finalized the victory by draining a free throw with 2.6 seconds remaining. The Philadelphia native, who is averaging 20.3 points per contest since making his season debut on November 24, registered the career-high point total on an efficient 8-of-12 from the field and 11-of-13 from the line.
 
In his return to the lineup after a two-game absence, Jahlil Jenkins scored 17 points, while Elyjah Williams added 11 points and Kaleb Bishop chipped in eight points and 11 rebounds.
 
Both teams shot just north of 50 percent overall in the contest but the Knights won the battle at the free throw line where they converted 19 shots compared to the Bobcats' 6-of-13 effort. Four Bobcats (2-4) scored in double figures led by Rich Kelly's 15 points. Savion Lewis scored 14 points with six rebounds and five assists and Kevin Marfo double-doubled with 14 points and 11 boards in the loss.

Coach Herenda's Thoughts
"I am so happy for every player on our roster. We have had a tough month of basketball and to come out and beat a quality opponent in Quinnipiac was huge for all of our players, coaches and students. To have Jahlil and Xzavier back in uniform obviously means a great deal to our team. X has grown up so much as a player but he is maturing as a person and that is truly special to witness. On top of everything, we continue to make the Rothman Center a great home court."
 
"We have won a lot of big games in here over the last four or five years and that is so important in college basketball. Now we are off to Lexington and again we look forward to playing against one of the gold standard programs in the nation in Kentucky. We have played Arizona, Villanova, Ohio State, Cincinnati and these are teams that have one National Championships. Our players, our program and our University are excited and so am I."

What's Next
The Knights continue return to New Jersey to face Saint Peter's next Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Jersey City.