HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team sets out for their first series of a four-game week when they visit Saint Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday night.
 
Game Info
FDU (2-8, 1-3 NEC) at Saint Francis (3-8, 2-5 NEC)
DeGol Arena - Loretto, Pa.
Game 1: Tuesday, Jan. 26 - 7 p.m.
Game 2: Wednesday, Jan. 27 - 4 p.m.
Coverage: NEC Front Row | Live Stats
In-game updates: @FDUKnightsMBB

Game Notes
FDU | SFU
 
All-Time Series
FDU leads 48-47
at SFU..17-30
Last Five..3-2
Streak..L1
First Meeting..SFU 62, FDU 55 (1/12/55 at SFU)
Last Meeting..SFU 100, FDU 85 (1/15/20 at FDU)

Scouting the Red Flash
The Red Flash are coming off a two-game split with Sacred Heart last week in Fairfield. After rolling in the opening game of the series 76-58, the Red Flash fell 82-70 on Friday (Jan. 22). This year's team, led by ninth-year head coach Rob Krimmel, opened the campaign with an 80-70 road upset of Pittsburgh but is 2-8 since that point. The team's first NEC win of the season was an 89-82 triumph over Bryant back on January 14. This year's squad is led by senior guard Ramir Dixon-Conover who scored 18 points last time out and is averaging a team-high 14.5 points per contest this season. Freshman Maxwell Land took home NEC Rookie of the Week honors on Monday after averaging 13 points on 45.8 percent shooting in the series at Sacred Heart. As a team, the Red Flash ranks second in the league in free throw percentage at 73 percent and are holding opponents to just 26.1 percent from behind the arc, which is the best mark in the league.  
More on Saint Francis
 
Scouting the Knights
The Knights returned to the floor last week in North Andover, Mass. following a 30-day layoff and suffered a two-game sweep at the hands of head coach Greg Herenda's alma mater, Merrimack. The Knights led at the half in both games, including an eight-point advantage on Friday but ultimately dropped both contests. This season, the Knights have trotted out seven different starting lineups in 10 games. Herenda is 7-9 all-time against the Red Flash but the Knights have won the last three meetings in Loretto, including the 2019 NEC Championship Game.

With his 19-point performance at Merrimack last game, senior guard Jahlil Jenkins moved into sole possession of 12th place (1,437 points) on the Knights' all-time scoring list, passing former teammate Darnell Edge. Jenkins (14.2 ppg) is one of three Knights averaging over 14 points per contest this season. Sophomore guard Brandon Rush (14.7 ppg) leads the way followed by senior forward Elyjah Williams (14.3 ppg). 

As a team, the Knights sit fourth in the league in field goal percentage at 43.3 percent and second in three-point field goal percentage at 35.9 percent. 
More on the Knights
 
Last Time Out for FDU
The Knights led by eight points at the half but were unable to hold off Merrimack, falling 76-71 last Friday (Jan. 23). Senior guard Jahlil Jenkins paced the Knights with 19 points and sophomore guard Brandon Rush scored 16 on 6-of-8 shooting in the loss.

Merrimack forward Jordan Minor led all scorers with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Mikey Watkins scored 18 with six rebounds and six assists. After shooting nearly 54 percent in the opening half, the Knights shot 34.5 percent over the final 20 minutes.

Coach Herenda's Thoughts Following the Loss at Merrimack
Full Press Conference

"I thought we came out and were more aggressive and got to our spots. Our goal is to score 40 in both halves and that's exactly what we scored in the first half. That second game is a chess match and in the second half we just didn't make the big shot or get the big rebound, it was just a couple little plays that catapulted them into the lead. We gave up 43 points in the second half and that's been our nemesis. It is difficult being light in bodies and playing people out of position but we were right there to win the game."

"We knew it was going to be tough to come up here and win, we obviously wanted to win two and then split but we have to take our slice of humble pie. I'm proud of my team and once we are whole and get everyone back, we will be just fine."

Next Up
The Knights return home this weekend to host Bryant for a two-game series beginning on Saturday, January 30 at 7 p.m.