HACKENSACK, N.J. – Off the heels of a win at Chicago State, FDU (7-13, 3-2) heads north this weekend to take on Stonehill (11-10, 3-3). The Knights and Skyhawks tip off tomorrow, January 26, at 2 p.m. in Massachusetts. Coverage is available on NEC Front Row.
 
The Knights earned a gritty 58-48 victory in the Windy City last weekend. FDU fell behind early, but their defensive effort and rebounding pulled them ahead by halftime. In the second half, Bismark Nsiah and Jo'el Emanuel dominated the interior and sealed up the ten-point victory. Emanuel finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. Nsiah found his way to eight points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. As a team the Knights were +14 (42-28) on the glass, which marked their best rebounding performance of the season.
 
Emanuel has surged in conference play. In five NEC games, he is averaging 16 points and seven rebounds per contest. He is putting up these numbers efficiently, too. The junior forward has significantly improved his free throw percentage to 73.7% during conference play and is shooting just shy of 50% from the field.
 
An important note heading into their clash at Stonehill is that FDU is a perfect 3-0 in NEC road games this season. That will be put the test once more on Sunday.
 
The Skyhawks are coming off a "buzzer-beating" victory over the same Chicago State Cougars. Stonehill guard Josh Morgan made a layup with under a second remaining to win the game, 75-73. This win got the Skyhawks to .500 in NEC play, just a half game back of FDU for the third spot in the standings. Two of Stonehill's wins have come over Chicago State. The other came against Saint Francis. They have lost to Mercyhurst, Le Moyne and LIU.
 
Stonehill ranks fifth in the conference in both offense and defense. They score at a respectable clip of 70.3 points per game. What they do really well is shoot the deep ball. They lead the NEC in threes per game (9.1) and three-point percentage (36.2%). Morgan leads the team in scoring and is shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc.
 
Stonehill's ability to shoot it from downtown presents an intriguing matchup for FDU. The Knights lead the league in opponent three-point percentage.
 
FDU returns home next Thursday, January 30. The Knights will go for the season sweep over Le Moyne at 7 p.m. It is "Salif Mane Night" at the Bogota Savins Bank Center. Tickets are on sale now.