HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU (8-13, 4-2) is set to host two games in Hackensack this week. First on Thursday, January 30, the Knights take on Le Moyne (7-14, 2-4). Then to close their week, FDU welcomes Mercyhurst (10-13, 4-4) on Saturday, February 1.
 
The Knights clash with the Dolphins will tipoff at 7 p.m. FDU is celebrating "Salif Mane Night" honoring the 2024 FDU graduate and Olympic Finalist, Salif Mane. Fans in attendance will be treated to a halftime ceremony unveiling Mane's National Championship and Olympic banners. Coverage is also available on the YES Network and the Gotham Sports App.

FDU enters Thursday night winners of two-straight. Last Sunday they erased a nine-point deficit en route to a 65-54 win at Stonehill. This marked their fourth-straight road win to begin their NEC campaign. On the other end of it, FDU is still seeking their first home victory of conference play. They currently sit at 0-2 in the Bogota Savings Bank Center in 2025.
 
Thursday presents an opportunity for the Knights to complete a season sweep over an NEC opponent. On January 10, FDU traveled to Le Moyne and defeated the Dolphins 91-86 in double-overtime. In this thriller, Terrence Brown (25) and Jo'el Emanuel (19) combined for 44 points to lead the FDU offense. Emanuel played 47 of 50 total minutes. FDU forced Le Moyne into 20 turnovers, while only committing 11 as a team. On top of this, FDU had 16 assists, led by Brown who had five. The team's combined for 73 free throw attempts in the 50 minutes of action.
 
Le Moyne travels to New Jersey trying to shake off a 23-point loss at home to CCSU. The Dolphins are 2-4 in conference, claiming wins over Mercyhurst and Stonehill. Although Le Moyne scores nearly 75 points per game, they surrender over 80 on the defensive end. Four Dolphins average double-figures in scoring, led by Ocypher Owens who is just a tick over 12 points per contest. Sophomore A.J. Dancler is enjoying a strong start to NEC play. The Le Moyne guard has scored at least 18 points in four of their six conference games.
 
Saturday brings the second ever meeting between FDU and Mercyhurst. However, this is their first battle as conference opponents. The Knights defeated Mercyhurst in their only ever matchup on 1/17/1983 by a score of 88-80.
 
The Lakers have won three of their last four and are arguably coming off their biggest win of their first Division I season, so far. Last Sunday Mercyhurst handed LIU their first conference loss in the form of a double-overtime classic. Prior to Sunday, the Lakers completed a season sweep over defending NEC champion Wagner with a 71-66 win in Erie.
 
Mercyhurst is led in scoring by forward Jeff Planutis, who is averaging 14.7 points per game. The graduate student is coming off a 23-point outing against LIU. Planutis has made a three-pointer in all but two games this season.
 
The Knights are back on the road next Thursday, February 6, at CCSU. The game begins at 8 p.m. and will air on the YES Network and ESPN+.