Preview

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — The Providence Friars return home looking to halt a two-game skid when they host the struggling Fairleigh Dickinson Knights in a non-conference men’s basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Dunkin’ Center. Providence (4-4) enters the contest after consecutive road losses to power-conference opponents, most recently a 90-78 defeat at Florida on Friday. Ryan Mela led the Friars in that game with 17 points and eight rebounds. Fairleigh Dickinson (1-6) has also lost two straight, including an 81-73 home loss to Army on Nov. 26. Taeshaud Jackson pulled down 14 rebounds for the Knights in the losing effort. The Knights’ lone win this season came against Saint Elizabeth, an NCAA Division III program, and they have yet to win a road game. The matchup presents an opportunity for Providence to steady itself before a Saturday showdown with in-state rival Rhode Island. The Friars are 3-0 at home this season, with all victories coming by double digits. For Fairleigh Dickinson, the game is another difficult test in a challenging early-season schedule that has already included road games at Iowa State and Texas. The Knights will look for improved production from an offense that has been held under 70 points in five of their seven games.