BROOKLYN, N.Y. and HACKENSACK, N.J. - FDU men's basketball (11-14, 5-5 NEC) takes part in two Northeast Conference matchups this week as the Knights march on through February. The Knights' week begins with a road tilt at LIU (6-17, 5-6 NEC) on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. ET at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. FDU then returns home for Hall of Fame Weekend festivities, welcoming Saint Francis U on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET. Both games will air live on NEC Front Row and the NEC on the Run App.

After this week, just four games remain on the docket for FDU, with only one coming at home (Feb. 29 vs. Merrimack). FDU has played each NEC team once already, finishing series with Stonehill (FDU sweep) and Central Connecticut (CCSU sweep).

The first 300 fans at Saturday's game vs. Saint Francis U will receive a free FDU message fan.
 

About FDU

FDU seeks to bounce back against LIU and Saint Francis U after the Burgundy and Blue went 0-2 in an NEC weekend for the first time since the first two games on the conference slate (Merrimack, Le Moyne). Heading into last week, FDU was 3-1 in its previous four games before dropping a home matchup to Wagner and falling to Central Connecticut on the road. 

In its last outing at CCSU, a 71-62 loss, FDU shook off a 21-point halftime deficit and came out of the locker room Saturday outscoring Northeast Conference leader Central Connecticut (15-9, 9-2 NEC) by 12 in the final 20 minutes, though the Blue Devils hung on for a 71-62 victory at Detrick Gymnasium, fending off a ferocious effort by the Knights down the stretch.

FDU's 15 first half points were the fewest by the Knights this season.

Central Connecticut shot 45.2 percent in the opening period, making 14 of their 31 shot attempts for 36 first half points. On the other hand, FDU was held to 15.4 percent from the field from the opening tip with only four field goals in 26 tries. Two of those buckets were three-pointers, courtesy of junior forward Ansley Almonor (Spring Valley, N.Y./St. Joseph Regional [Mont.]).

FDU out-scored Central Connecticut 47-35 out of the halftime break, doubling their made field goals as the Knights came out with 18-of-40 from the field, compared to 9-of-24 from the home Blue Devils.

"We're really glad we were able to come inside halftime and make an adjustment. Unfortunately, it's been the same story the last couple games that we don't come out consistent," said head coach Jack Castleberry.

"When we can be mature enough and come out with an intensity and intentionality from the very beginning, we'll be a pretty good basketball team. We have to get back to playing FDU basketball which has a little more heart and aggressiveness to it and is also unselfishness."
 

About the Opponents

LIU and Saint Francis U currently find themselves in the bottom third of the NEC standings. Both teams' records are deceiving as the two enter this week with a win in their last outing. LIU defeated Sacred Heart 75-58 on Feb. 10 and before that, took defending tournament champion Merrimack to overtime, an 82-79 win for the Warriors.

Saint Francis U is 1-3 in its last four, coming off a win against Stonehill, 72-63, on Feb. 10.

FDU beat both the Sharks and Red Flash earlier in the season.
 

About the Series

FDU is 59-58 all-time against LIU... the Knights are 54-50 all-time vs. Saint Francis U.
 

Milestone Tracking

• Almonor is 15 points away from the 1,000 points scored threshold (enters Thursday with 985)
• Almonor is also chasing fifth all-time in made three-point field goals, needing to eclipse Darian Anderson's 170... Almonor has made 163 threes over three seasons.

 

What's Next

FDU faces Sacred Heart and Le Moyne on the road next week before the final home game of the regular season on Feb. 29 vs. Merrimack.

Connect with FDU men's basketball on X and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMBB.

Bogota Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the 2023-24 FDU men's basketball season.