HACKENSACK, N.J. – After playing two high-major games in Nebraska, the FDU Knights (1-3, 0-0) return home to take on the Manhattan Jaspers (2-1, 0-0) on Sunday afternoon. It will be the Knights second game in the friendly confines of the Bogota Savings Bank Center this season. Fans can catch the game at 2 p.m. on the YES Network and The Gotham Sports App.
 
The first two weeks of FDU's season have offered challenging contests against Miami, no. 14 Creighton, and Nebraska. Their lone win came in the form of a 112-72 triumph over Purchase in their home opener. Most recently, the Knights fell at Nebraska 86-60. FDU did cut a 20-point deficit down to nine in the second half but could not complete the comeback on the road. Terrence Brown led the way with 23 points and eight boards.
 
Offensively, it has been Dylan Jones and Brown shining brightest for the Burgundy and Blue. Brown is averaging 21 points per game and shooting 50% from deep on 12 attempts. Jones has knocked down 14 threes through four games. He is shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc despite a 2-8 showing against Nebraska. He'll look to bounce back and improve on his 12.5 points per game average against the Jaspers.
 
The Knights met the Jaspers last season at Manhattan. FDU trailed by as many as 12 in the second half before charging back for a 76-71 victory. Knights' junior Jo'el Emanuel posted nine points and seven rebounds in the game. Manhattan does lead the all-time series 17-10.
 
The visitors come into this one feeling good. Manhattan dropped their season opener to Maryland but have responded with two-straight wins. On Friday night, they downed Fordham 78-76 in the Battle of the Bronx. The Jaspers led by as many 17 with 3:34 left in the second half, before Fordham made a comeback bid that landed just short. Manhattan freshman Will Sydnor paced his team with 24 points on 9-14 shooting. He is averaging 16 points per game.
 
The Jaspers' leading scorer is senior Shaquil Bender at 16.3 points per game. He had a rough shooting night against Fordham but is having a solid second campaign with Manhattan. The former junior college product made 17 starts and averaged 13.8 points per game in his first season in the Big Apple.
 
John Gallagher is in the early stages of his second season as head coach of Manhattan. The Jaspers went 7-23 in year one of the Gallagher era and his record there now stands at 9-24. The former Hartford head coach did lead the Hawks to the NCAA tournament in 2021 and accumulated 169 in his 12-year tenure.  
 
FDU is back in action on Wednesday, November 20, at Army. The game will tipoff at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.