MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University men's basketball team will host Nyack College for their 2021-22 home-opener at Decker Gymnasium at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20 in non-conference action.

Saturday's contest is the first Mountaineer men's home game in Decker Gym in over 635 days. The Mountaineers are seeking their first victory at their home court since they took down Lock Haven University, 88-84 on Feb. 5, 2020.

Seniors Eli Alvin and Jordan Hernandez and sophomore Jaz Farrell are the only Mountaineers to have played in an official collegiate competition inside Decker Gym. The remaining 15 athletes will be making their home debut.

The Mountaineers earned 75 percent of their total wins in 2019-20 at home, scoring over 80 points three times, including a 99-point outing against Roberts Wesleyan College.

RESET BUTTON
The Mounties are seeking to end a three-game skid after battling against some of the top schools in Virginia during the opening weekend before falling to Roberts Wesleyan in a back-and-fourth affair on Tuesday.

The Mounties scored 84 points, the highest of the season and shot a solid 46 percent from the floor (32-of-70). MU also improved at the free-throw line, going 14-of-19 with several players ending the night without a miss.

Head Coach John Szentesy has challenged the group on the defensive end this week at practice and feels strongly that if the offensive output and defensive consistency can intertwine, the wins will follow.

In their first season on the court for the Mountaineers, redshirt sophomore Marcus Friend and redshirt freshman Justice Smith have been bright spots for the offense. Friend leads the squad with 14 points and 2.7 steals per game and is fresh off a 21-point performance at Roberts Wesleyan. Smith notched the first double-double of his young career last Tuesday (11 points, 11 rebounds) and is the team's leader in rebounds per game at 4.7.

ADMISSION
Anyone who is attending the basketball games and contributes to the shelter will receive complimentary admissions.

Donations needed include food, cleaning products and laundry pods. The softball team invites guests and attendees of the games to also participate in a Chinese auction in Decker Gymnasium lobby throughout the duration of the evening.

To learn more, click here.

COVERAGE
The Mansfield University Athletic Communication staff will be providing live stats and video stream with the links available at gomounties.com under the basketball schedule.

MEET THE WARRIORS
Record: 1-2
Last Time Out: L, 75-70 at Lock Haven University
All-Time vs. MU: 1-1
Head Coach: Valiant Jones (4^th Season, Nyack '09)

Head Coach and 2009 Nyack graduate Valiant Jones enters his fourth season at the helm of the program and is 25-41 as the leader.

Nyack is off to a 1-2 start after falling to PSAC East affiliate Lock Haven University, 75-70 last time out.

Four different Warriors are averaging in double-figures in scoring, led by a 13.7 points per game clip by Jayden Dawson.

The Warriors' feature an up-tempo offense that enters Saturday with a 74 points per game average. The Warriors have allowed 88.5 points per game in their two losses.

The Warriors finished 2019-20 over .500, notching a 14-14 overall record and a 9-10 slate in their conference (CACC).

The Mounties are 1-1 all-time against Nyack, winning the first meeting 83-70 in 2003, before falling 91-87 during the last season in 2019-20.

LAST TIME OUT
Friend scored a career-high 21 points and freshman Smith recorded his first double-double to lead the Mansfield University men's basketball team who fell to non-conference foe Roberts Wesleyan, 94-84, on Tuesday night, Nov. 16.

Friend knocked down a team-high five free throws, pulled in five rebounds, dished out three assists and plucked three steals to lead the way. Smith finished with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double, while adding four assists, two steals and a block. Freshmen Idris Ali (12 points), Manir Waller (12 points) and Scott Woodring (11 points) all scored in double-figures.

The Mounties offense had a strong night, scoring a season-high 84 points on 46 percent (32-of-70) shooting. The Redhawks made just one more field goal than MU on the night, but 11 of their 33 made shots came from behind the arch, compared to the Mounties six.

ON THIS DATE
11/20/2016: Mounties Outlast Cal Behind Carter's 21 Points and Green's Key Rebound and Steal

Malik Carter scored a game-high 21 points and Jahmir Green came up with a key rebound and steal in the final seconds as Mansfield held off California 73-70 in a PSAC crossover contest on First Citizens Community Bank Court in Decker Gymnasium Sunday afternoon.

The win was the Mountaineers first conference victory in two tries this season while improving their overall record to 3-2 on the year.

Carter, who scored 21 points for the second straight day, also dissed out four assists and recorded a game-high three steals. Gardiner scored 17 points while pulling down four rebounds while Matt Tamanosky and Cedrick each had 10 points. Powell also dished out a game-high eight assists.

NEXT UP
The Mounties take a quick break for Thanksgiving before hitting the road on Monday, Nov. 29 when they travel to non-conference foe Frostburg State University for a 7 p.m. tip-off.