POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist men's basketball team (6-2 overall, 4-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) returns to action with two games this weekend at conference rival Monmouth (3-4, 3-3). Tip-off on both Saturday and Sunday is set for 2 p.m.
- Eddy Occhipinti (play-by-play) and Steve Bazaz (analyst) will have the call for both games. Saturday's game will be carried live on ESPN+, while Sunday's game will be on ESPN3.
- Twitter: @MaristMBB
- Marist splits a home MAAC series against Niagara on Jan. 1-2.
- The Red Foxes prevailed 63-61 on New Year's Day, but fell 86-72 on Jan. 2.
- On Jan. 1, Marist hit a season-high 13 three-pointers.
- The following day, Niagara took control with a 20-0 first-half run. That loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Red Foxes.
- Monmouth was most recently swept at Siena on Jan. 3-4; however, the Hawks had swept Canisius at home the previous weekend.
- The Hawks boast two of the MAAC's top five scorers in Deion Hammond (18.6 ppg, fourth), and George Papas (15.3 ppg, fifth).
- Hammond was a Preseason First Team All-MAAC selection, and Monmouth was picked tied for third in the MAAC Preseason Poll.
- Head coach King Rice is in his 10th season.
- Marist is 5-0 in games decided by five points or less.
- In the final two minutes of regulation plus the full length of its two overtime games, Marist is shooting .900 (36-for-40) from the free-throw line.
- Marist ranks second in the MAAC in scoring defense (63.9 ppg), defensive field goal percentage (.388), and defensive three-point percentage (.305).
- MAAC Rookie of the Week Ricardo Wright is averaging 17.7 points over his last three games.
- Jordan Jones is averaging 11.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots while shooting .875 (14-for-16) from the field in his last three games.
- The Red Foxes are next scheduled to return home for a two-game series against Fairfield on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16.
- Tip-off for both days is set for 5 p.m.
