Friday, November 21st, 11:00 a.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Coliseo De Puerto Rico (18,500) -- San Juan, Puerto Rico. Television: ESPN360. Home Record: Fairfield 1-0, Missouri 2-0. Away Record: Fairfield 0-1, Missouri 0-0. Neutral Record: Fairfield 0-1, Missouri 0-1. Conference Record: Fairfield 0-0, Missouri 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Second-round action of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament pits the Fairfield Stags against the Missouri Tigers. Yesterday, Fairfield began play at the event with a disappointing 74-57 loss to Virginia Tech. The Stags now own a 1-2 record, as they were crushed by national power Memphis in the opener before knocking off Sacred Heart for their only win to date. Fairfield is a member of the MAAC and would certainly gain valuable confidence if it is able to knock off a Big 12 foe today. Missouri opened this new campaign with back- to-back home wins over Prairie View and Chattanooga. The Tigers put forth a solid effort against Xavier yesterday, but the result of that game was a 75-71 setback. The non-conference slate is rather light for the Tigers, who hope to rack up some victories prior to the start of Big 12 play. This game marks the first-ever meeting between Fairfield and Missouri on the hardwood.

Fairfield shot just 37 percent from the floor yesterday while allowing Virginia Tech to make good on 56.3 percent of its field goal attempts. The Stags got 11 points from Herbie Allen and 10 from Anthony Johnson. A reserve led the club in scoring, as Greg Nero netted 13 points off the bench. Through three outings, Fairfield is scoring a modest 63.3 ppg on 42.7 percent field goal efficiency. The Stags are allowing 72.7 ppg to the opposition on 49.1 percent shooting. and They are being outrebounded by nearly three boards per contest. Warren Edney is averaging 15.3 ppg for Fairfield to lead the team in scoring. Nero checks in win 12.0 ppg, and Jonathan Turner adds 11.3 ppg to the mix to go along with 19 assists. On a down note, Turner has committed 19 turnovers.

Missouri finished yesterday's game against Xavier with 18 assists against only seven turnovers. Unfortunately, the Tigers missed 16 of the 31 foul shots that they attempted and suffered a 41-28 rebounding deficit. DeMarre Carroll led the way in defeat with 17 points. Leo Lyons pitched in 15 points, and J.T. Tiller finished with 13 points and five assists. Tiller also recorded six steals in the clash. Lyons was the team's leading scorer in each of the first two games, as he scored 21 points against Prairie View A&M and 25 points against Memphis. He is averaging 20.3 ppg on 58.3 percent shooting from the floor and will undoubtedly draw extra attention from Fairfield defenders today. The same can be said of Carroll, who is scoring 19.0 ppg on 60.5 percent shooting from the field.

Expect Carroll and Lyons to lead the Tigers to victory. Missouri is averaging 86.7 ppg and will play well offensively today.

Predicted Outcome

Missouri 86, Fairfield 70