HACKENSACK, N.J. - After a devastating two-point loss on Friday in the Knights' conference home opener against St. Francis Brooklyn, 80-78, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team (1-13, 2-5 NEC) is set to take on LIU (7-10, 4-3 NEC) under the iconic roof at Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center live on NEC Front Row at 7 p.m as the Knights' four-game homestand continues. Be sure to arrive early to receive an FDU Knights charger pack.

FDU received a win in the conference standings following Mount St. Mary's COVID-19 related forfeit on December 29 giving the Knights a 1-0 start in NEC play. Following the cancellations against Merrimack (January 6) and Bryant (January 8), FDU was assigned a loss in the NEC standings for each contest. The forfeits do not impact the Knights' overall record.

Game Info 
FDU (1-13, 2-5 NEC) vs. LIU (7-10, 4-3 NEC)
Sunday, January 23, at 7:05 p.m. -- Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center (Hackensack, N.J.)
Coverage: NEC Front Row | Live Stats
Tickets
In-Game Updates: @FDUKnightsMBB

Media Game Notes
FDU | NEC Weekly Release

All-Time Series
Series tied 56-56
First Meeting...LIU 61, FDU 52 (1/22/1951)
Last Meeting...FDU 77, LIU 62 (2/5/2021)
 
Scouting the Sharks
Taking the league-leading Wagner Seahawks to overtime on Friday, January 21, however the Sharks couldn't finish the job, falling 92-85 at home in Brooklyn. Redshirt senior Eral Penn led the Sharks with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Right from the jump ball that LIU won to start the game, the Sharks and the Seahawks were back and forth on the court in a breakneck game. LIU went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half led by Penn, with two made free throws and two back-to-back threes. A driving layup from sophomore Kyndall Davis forced a Seahawks timeout, and the Sharks were up 25-18. LIU was in foul trouble all night, and found themselves with three players fouling out in the extra period. The Seahawks were able to capitalize on that and pull off the 92-85 win.

More on LIU
 
Scouting the Knights
Finally getting to take the hardwood in Hackensack, the FDU men's basketball team played their second home game of the season on Friday (1/21) against St. Francis Brooklyn in an 80-78 win for the Terriers. The contest was FDU's first at the Rothman Center since December 15 when the side welcomed Fairfield in non-conference action. In what was truly a battle from the opening tip, neither team had more than a 11-point at any time. Both teams were scoreless through the first 1:47 of the contest with a combined five missed shots between the two sides before the Terriers opened up the scoring bonanza. Junior Brandon Rush got back to his old ways posting 18 points, six rebounds, an assist and steal in 29 minutes on the floor for head coach Greg Herenda. At the break, FDU trailed by just a point in a back-and-forth bout that saw eight lead changes and the score tied 12 different times. Freshman Oscar Berry brought the thunder from deep, knocking down each of his triples attempted shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from distance. The Melbourne, Australia native finished with nine points, four assists, two rebounds and a block. Sophomore John Square Jr. had himself a game with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting while also logging a team-high three blocks. Sticking with the number three, Square added in three rebounds and three assists.

Full St. Francis Brooklyn Recap

What's Next
Towards the end of the first week of classes in the spring 2022 semester, the Knights will welcome Mount St. Mary's to Bergen County on Thursday, January 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets are on-sale now at FDUKnights.com/Tickets.

Fans can stay connected with FDU men's basketball on Instagram and Twitter, @FDUKnightsMBB.

The 2021-22 men's basketball season is presented by Bogota Savings Bank.