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FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- With the calendar year coming to a close, so will non-conference play for the Fairfield University men's basketball team. Fairfield University and the University of New Hampshire will meet at Webster Bank Arena beginning at 7 pm on Friday night. After playing the Wildcats, the Stags will welcome Saint Peter's University for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener on December 28.

Fairfield and New Hampshire will meet for the 11th time in a series which began during the 1977-78 season. The Stags won the first-ever meeting by a 90-55 count behind a game-high 26 points from Joe DeSantis and an additional 25 points from Flip Williams. The Stags own an 8-2 advantage in the series, winning eight of the first nine meetings. Fairfield owns a 6-1 record against New Hampshire when playing at home with the lone loss coming in the 2016 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (77-62 at Alumni Hall). .

The Stags will play the second game of its three-game home stand this evening, returning to Webster Bank Arena for the first time since its November 14 victory against Loyola Maryland. Fairfield enters this game with a 2-0 record at Webster Bank Arena, also defeating Penn on November 11. Tyler Nelson is one individual who should be happy to return to his home venues. Nelson is averaging 21 points per game in his first two appearances this season at Webster Bank Arena, including a season-high 30 points against Penn in the opener, and 22.7 points per home contest when you factor in his 26 points at Alumni Hall last weekend. Nelson's performance pushed his overall scoring average to 20.0 points per game, one of three student-athletes averaging 20 points or more in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Two newcomers are next on Fairfield's season scoring leaders list, namely Ferron Flavors Jr. (11.4 ppg) and Jesus Cruz (9.1 ppg).

The Wildcats bring a 3-9 overall record into tonight's game which includes a 111-31 win over Lyndon State College played on December 16. The program returns to Fairfield for the first time since upending the Stags by a 77-62 count at Alumni Hall in the first round of the 2016 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Jaleen Smith led all Wildcat scorers with 22 points while Tanner Leissner also reached double figures with 15 points. 

On Wednesday night, New Hampshire dropped a 68-64 decision at George Washington. Leissner scored 14 points to pace the UNH offense, a number which pushed him past 1,600 career points. Iba Camara grabbed 12 caroms in the game which moved him past 800 career rebounds and currently places fourth on the New Hampshire rebounding chart. Leissner remains with the program today and comes into tonight's contest with a team-best 18.7 points per game, Most of his points come from the free throw line where he has netted 59 charity tosses through the first 11 games. He is the only Wildcat to reach double digits in all 11 games this season, highlighted by his season-high 24 points against Niagara. Camara, who also played in the 2016 CIT game, is the other New Hampshire student-athlete in double figures, netting 11.7 points every forty minutes.

Friday, December 22 Game Promotions:

Lucas the Stag Holiday Ornament Giveaway: The first 300 fans will receive a Lucas the Stag ornament
 
Ugly Sweater Contest: Wear your favorite ugly sweater to participate in a contest on the court at Webster Bank Arena
 
Lil' Stags Bring-A-Friend Night: Lil' Stags Club members receive free youth admission for themselves AND a friend (youth ticket only). A Lil' Stags Club membership card must be presented to redeem.
 
Concessions Special: Visit the Fairfield Athletics marketing table on the concourse to receive a voucher to purchase a hot dog, French fries and a soda/water for $9.50 (a total savings of $3.00).
 
Postgame Autographs: Fairfield Men's Basketball will sign autographs after the game