POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A slumping Mount Saint Mary’s squad will try to halt a two-game skid when it visits a surging Marist team in a nonconference men’s basketball game Friday at McCann Recreation Center. The Mountaineers (2-7) are coming off an 87-80 home loss to Sacred Heart on Wednesday, despite a combined 23 points and 12 assists from guards Arlandus Keyes and Xavier Lipscomb. Mount Saint Mary’s has lost seven of its last eight, with the lone win in that stretch a 79-75 victory over Howard. The Red Foxes (4-2), organized by the Metro Atlantic, have won three of their last four, most recently a 78-55 home win over Lehigh on Nov. 25. Justin Menard led Marist with 17 points in that contest. Marist has been strong defensively, holding four opponents under 65 points this season. Mount Saint Mary’s has struggled on the road, losing all five away games, including blowouts at Ohio State (113-60) and Western Michigan (83-60). The game is the first of a brief two-game homestand for Marist, which hosts Manhattan on Sunday. Mount Saint Mary’s continues a stretch of six straight road games before returning home Dec. 21.